Penrith MP Stuart Ayres has defended his government’s impositions on the west amid the most recent COVID outbreak.

The newly deputised Minister for Western Sydney acknowledged the economic and social impact on the area, telling Jim Wilson the tougher restrictions were “the unfortunate reality that we’ve had to absorb”.

“We’ve never discriminated once against Western Sydney.

“If you compare what’s happened in Sydney to what’s happening in Victoria right now … I see that as an endorsement of our strategy.”

Mr Ayres said his marginal Penrith seat, which he holds by 0.4 per cent, remains as much a priority as his new responsibilities as deputy Liberal leader.

“It’s all about work ethic.

“I reckon I squeeze every minute out of every hour in a day, and I’m going to have to do that all the way to the next election and beyond.

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