Whitsunday Mayor Mike Brunker and his Labor colleagues have had more than enough time to fix the water water problem in Bowen, according to Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen.

“Just because we are getting new excuses doesn’t mean it’s a new problem,” Mr Christensen said. “Mr Brunker has long known about the problem but doesn’t want to admit it exists.

“I sent a letter to the Labor Government’s Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan last year, requesting funding for certain projects, including the Bowen water treatment plant.

“The Bowen community should be asking their mayor why he didn’t apply for money for a water treatment plant under the Regional Development Australia Fund, instead of the Collinsville Community Centre upgrade.

“Mr Brunker can call it a stunt to take a bottle of Bowen water to Canberra if he likes. But if he took the time to represent his own area, it wouldn’t be necessary to take our push for safe water to the next level.”