Opposition leader Tony Abbott told SBS the Coalition has a plan for western Sydney: "scrap the carbon tax, build WestConnex, stop the boats and stop the guns."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard yesterday began a five-day tour of the area, which is the third biggest economy in the nation, and a region in which Labor is facing seat losses that could send it into opposition.
The PM is trying to realign her government with the two million-plus residents of western Sydney, telling them they needed recognition, respect and shouldn't be viewed as second-rate.
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is also targeting the region, a place he has dubbed "the new Liberal heartland".
Mr Abbott said the Coalition had a "simple" plan for western Sydney, including cutting the cost of living by abolishing the carbon tax and taking the pressure off police through the use of CCTV in crime hotspots.
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The Coalition would also sort out transport problems and address environmental issues with its Green Army proposal.
"I think it's really important that the people of Sydney and Australia - and of western Sydney in particular this week - know that there are people in our public life who have a plan for them," Mr Abbott told reporters at Auburn.
"This is a plan, not just a visit. "I think that's what the people of western Sydney want, the people of Australia can see what our positive plans, what our real solutions are, for this country."
The Member for Warringah reinforced his previous political slogan of "stop the boats", claiming that increases in the refugee and humanitarian immigration program will be filled through people smugglers.
"If we can stop the boats, that's $6.5 billion that won't have to be spent," he told SBS.
Mr Abbott accused the PM of demonising foreigners, saying he finds Gillard's comments on her plans to change the 457 temporary foreign worker visa program "jarring".
"I tell you what we'll never do," Mr Abbott told SBS.
"We won't run around the place demonising foreigners the way the prime minister has sought to do over the last 24 hours."
He noted that a substantial population of people in western Sydney, where Ms Gillard is touring this week, were foreigners "just a few years ago".
"Trying to stir people against them is the last thing that the prime minister should be doing particularly in western Sydney," Mr Abbott said.
People on 457 visas, who have come to Australia "the right way", were the best possible migrants.
"The point of being prime minister is that you've got to be a national leader, not just a tribal chief," Mr Abbott added.
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