• Keilor, Taylors Lakes, Sydenham Star
• St Albans, Deer Park, Caroline Springs Star
• Sunshine, Ardeer, Albion Star

By Belinda Nolan

9th March 2010 11:05:21 AM

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SUNSHINE residents will write a letter of complaint to State MP Marsha Thomson, claiming that she broke a promise to meet with her constituents.

Residents attending a community meeting last week claimed Ms Thomson failed to turn up to a planned consultation at the Sunshine Marketplace last month, despite inviting residents to attend.

But Ms Thomson, who denied the claims, insisted that she had made the appointment, though she was late.

“I was late due to unforseen circumstances, but I certainly did show up,” Ms Thomson told Star.

“I had been sick all week, but I still turned up because I thought it was the right thing to do.

“I may have been late, but I was there for at least an hour-and-a-half.”

But Sunshine Residents and Ratepayers Association president Darlene Reilly said she had received numerous complaints from residents who claimed Ms Thomson had never arrived to the consultation.

Ms Reilly said Sunshine residents who lived in Ms Thomson’s electorate had received a letter from the MP, inviting them to meet with her at the shopping centre between 10am and noon on 27 February.

“People did go because they were keen to talk to her about community issues and apparently they waited around, but she never showed up,” Ms Reilly said.

“Maybe, she wasn’t game to come when she said she would.”

Ms Thomson said she was unsure how the misunderstanding occurred, but said residents were always welcome to contact her office with any community concerns.

Ms Thomson said she had spoken to at least six residents during the consultation.

She estimated her staff had spoken to a further 50 people.

“It’s our job to talk to people about community issues and we will keep doing it,” Ms Thomson said.

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