Eden-Monaro's candidates for the two major parties have become embroiled in a post-election war of words.
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When the Liberals' Fiona Kotvojs conceded, she said she "successfully" argued for freight for Snowy 2.0 to come through Eden Port rather than Port Kembla.
But while speaking to the Bega District News on Monday, June 3, Labor's Mike Kelly said this was "rubbish".
"I'd already negotiated that outcome for freight to come through the Port of Eden," he said at the time.
"I've been pursuing that outcome for the past year and a half.
"That had nothing to do with Fiona in the slightest."
On Wednesday, in response to his comments Dr Kotvojs said many were involved in determining the detail in the contracts, including how freight would reach the construction site.
She said neither he nor the opposition party were signatories to the contracts, nor were in positions to "negotiate" the outcome.
"I am not going to enter into a debate about 'whose contribution is bigger' - I have accomplished enough in my life not to have to claim more than I achieve, and to recognise that all achievements result from the contribution of many people rather than a single person," Dr Kotvojs said.
"However, Mike Kelly obviously missed the statement by Snowy 2.0 at Cooma Connect on 25 March 2019 that there had been a change and most freight for Snowy 2.0 was now expected to go through Port Kembla rather than Eden.
"He must not have noticed local businesses concerns following this statement.
"As the Liberal candidate for Eden-Monaro I responded to this new position.
"This built on my earlier advocacy in public forums, to Snowy 2.0 and to the Coalition government.
"I am sure that all of us in the area are pleased that this decision has been reversed and that now the intent is for most Snowy 2.0 shipping to go through Eden Port."
In responding to her comments, Dr Kelly said it was a "complete fantasy" she negotiated anything related to the issue.
He said he pioneered the use of the Port of Eden through shipments for the Boco Rock wind farm in the Snowy Mountains, and had spent two years working with councils, Sydney customs, the navy and other organisations to make them agree they could use the Port of Eden for Snowy 2.0.
"As soon as the Snowy 2.0 project was first mooted, well before we had heard of the Liberal candidate, I was in discussions with all of the key players in the Snowy Hydro," he said.
"It was only thanks to my work they were aware of the possibility [of using the port] in the first place, which was demonstrated by the Boco Rock project."
Dr Kelly won the seat of Eden-Monaro in the election.
Over 93 per cent of the votes counted by Thursday afternoon with him sitting on 50.83 per cent on a two-candidate preferred basis.
Albert McKnight
Journalist at Bega District News.
Journalist at Bega District News.
