Gulaptis confirms he will fight on
THE NSW Government will have a "bastard in the tent" until it pushes the pause button on its plans to cut more than 100 jobs from Grafton Jail.
At yesterday's jail protest rally in Grafton, Member for Clarence Chris Gulaptis confirmed his change of heart over the plan to downsize the jail and will do everything he can to ensure it is overturned.
Speaking after the rally he said he will keep fighting the decision, but has ruled out resigning his post.
"I'd rather be the bastard in the tent, than the irrelevant independent outside it," Mr Gulaptis said.
In his rally speech Mr Gulaptis said these cuts, if introduced, will take the number of jobs lost in Grafton in the past two years close to 500.
"It just can't happen to one community," he said.
"I think in tough times everyone can understand you tighten your belt.
"I told the Premier this is not tightening your belt, this is tightening the noose around Grafton."
Mr Gulaptis said he asked Premier Barry O'Farrell for a social and economic impact statement for Grafton to gauge the effects of these cuts.
He also said the Government should look at the union plan to cut costs at the jail and work with them to come up with a compromise that does not deva- state the town.
"This is unbelievable for Grafton to turn out in such a way ... that's what I said to the Premier. This is a community protest," he said.
"This is the last straw for Grafton, this is our last stand."
