DEPUTY Prime Minister Warren Truss was in town on Thursday to officially open the Taree office of member for Lyne Dr David Gillespie.
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Dr Gillespie is self-funding his Taree office, with the main electorate office in Port Macquarie.
It has been customary in recent years for the member for Lyne to hold two offices within the electorate, however only one is funded by the government.
Mr Truss took the opportunity to congratulate Dr Gillespie on his time in government so far, saying that he "never hesitates to put his case strongly for the needs of the Lyne electorate".
Dr Gillespie welcomed Mr Truss to Lyne, where a busy schedule had been planned for his visit. Prior to the office opening Dr Gillespie, Mr Truss and their advisors met with representatives from Greater Taree City Council (see separate story) to discuss the issue of funding for roads and bridges in the area.
They were then heading to Port Macquarie for the opening of the airport upgrade, which Mr Truss described as a "significant project" that had been funded by the previous government.
"It's an important piece of infrastructure," Mr Truss said before adding that it had the potential to attract larger jets, more tourists and businesses to the area.