NEWCASTLE MP Jodi McKay has blamed councillor Keith Parsons for the further deterioration of the former Newcastle post office which has now become home to squatters.
Cr Parsons had earlier blamed Sydney-based owner Sean Ngu for not securing the historic building.
He plans to call on the State Government, at Newcastle Council's June 17 meeting, to take immediate steps to secure the building from further damage and for the council to express its dissatisfaction on behalf of the community about lack of action on the site.
But Ms McKay said the council, in particular Cr Parsons, have done everything possible to stall Mr Ngu's redevelopment of the building.
"I couldn't believe that the very councillor that fought against it every step of the way can come out now and blame the owner of the building," she said.
Ms McKay said the Howard government should never have sold the post office building but since the deal had gone through, the council should work with Mr Ngu to ensure it was restored and re-used.
"We have a problem in Newcastle dealing with heritage buildings and we have a radical element on Newcastle Council that opposes everything," she said.
But Cr Parsons said Newcastle Council had already approved the development application for the building and Mr Ngu needed to start the work or sell it.
"If it doesn't go ahead he needs to sell it to someone else who may do something else with the building," he said.