Gatecrash: Tamworth candidates get heated over need for new ambulance station

Paramedics have been calling for a new ambulance station, with the 93-year-old Marius Street headquarters no longer living up to modern standards.

Shooters, Fishers and Farmers candidate Jeff Bacon said when he was given a tour of the station he "was completely shocked", and put the pressure on Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson.

"To see the area where our most trusted health professions have to work, it's just completely unacceptable," he said.

"We've had promise after promise from the current government. We need action on this. It's an election, if it's ever going to happen, it's going to happen now.

"It would be great if we got another election promise from Mr Anderson, but we've seen plenty of promises in the past, and I'm sure we'll see plenty to come."

Mr Anderson, who crashed Mr Bacon's press conference, said he was committed to getting the city a new station, however ruled out an election promise to deliver one.

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"One thing I don't do is make election promises I can't deliver on," Mr Anderson said.

"That's one thing I stand on, my delivery. When I say I'm going to deliver on a particular project, that project has been delivered on.

"While others may throw [election promises] around…. I make sure I deliver on the promises I talk about."

Health Services Union committee member James Thompson, who has been a paramedic in Tamworth for 23 years, said the city was next in line for a new station but was bumped off in favour of Bungendore, in the electorate of NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro.

"The state of this station is deplorable," he said.

"There's been lots of promises and no action. As you can see on our honour boards it says, 'actions speak louder than words'.

"So I'm calling on Kevin to give us some action.

"Show some respect for your paramedics."

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