The NSW Minns Labor Government has delivered a budget that hikes taxes and raises record revenue but fails to deliver the cost-of-living relief NSW households and families desperately need. In a cost-of-living crisis, it’s a budget of wrong priorities, cuts and inaction on the issues that matter.
Whilst there are some wins such as the already committed and budgeted delivery of two new schools, it falls short and is striking for what is missing. There is no additional investment in essential infrastructure or services to accompany population growth.
In a housing affordability crisis, land taxes are being increased which will only exacerbating current affordability challenges. Renters remain without a plan to address soaring rents, and the planned rental bond rollover scheme has been delayed. We’ve seen cuts to our local school budgets, funding for local palliative care services slashed by 40% and cuts to grassroots community programs.
In good news, the Sydney Metro City and Southwest line is opening soon with new local stations at Crows Nest and Chatswood. This investment in our public transport by the previous Liberal government will slash travel times from Chatswood to Central almost in half. It’s this sort of vision that we need, yet the Budget provides no alternative to the current Government’s cancellation of Beaches Link. No ideas nor initiatives to bust local road congestion on the Pacific Hwy or Military Rd corridors. The government has rejected the funding recommendations of its own bus review and provided only token funding to resolve the bus driver shortage.
With my strong advocacy, projects of the former Liberal Government have been continued and this is welcomed. The two new local public schools will be built – one at St Leonards, the other in Chatswood – and planning is now well underway. Disappointingly however, the Coalition’s plans for preschools at the two new local schools have been scrapped. Upgrades to Northbridge Public School and Cammeray Public School are now confirmed and I thank all those who supported my advocacy and petition to deliver these vital projects.
The people of NSW and Willoughby deserve better, and I will continue to stand up for our community and demand better.
