Gladys Berejiklian and Phil Donato have much in common - they are both very hard workers, persons of integrity, and committed to the people whom they serve.
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So the real test for Gladys now, in so far as the people of Orange are concerned, is how soon will she honour her promise to build a $25 million sporting complex in Orange.
I realise that originally her promise was conditional on the people of Orange electing the National candidate - that was a silly condition.
Phil Donato won't be the only one holding the government to account - so will the people of Orange.
Clearly in making this promise, Gladys and the Liberal-Nationals Coalition recognised that there was an important and urgent need for a sports complex to be built in Orange. Otherwise, that promise would never have been made in the first place.
When, if ever, will Orange receive its new sports stadium? When will the Coalition government deliver on its promise?
I note that, following his significant victory last Saturday, Phil Donato said that he will hold the government "to account" concerning the promise of a new stadium. But Phil Donato won't be the only one holding the government to account - so will the people of Orange.
I was heartened to read that, during a press conference in Sydney this week, Gladys said that she "anticipated" that Orange would receive a stadium. The Premier clearly hasn't forgotten the promise made just prior to the election.
We don't want to see a firm announcement about a new stadium being made in four years' time just before the next election. I think Gladys Berejiklian is too decent a person to treat the people of Orange as fools and just pawns in some political game.
Bill Walsh
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