Category: NSW News

Hundreds of community preschools across NSW are opening their doors to the first year of subsidised three year olds this week, thanks to an historic investment from the NSW Government to ensure every child has access to two years of early childhood education in preparation for primary school.
NSW is the first state in Australia to subsidise all three-year-olds in community preschools, under an investment of almost $200 million, which is only possible due to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian visited Doonside Kindergarten today to welcome the new starters, and said she looked forward to seeing the impact this will have on both children and families.

“Not only does this investment mean better educational opportunities for children right across the State, it also means that on average, families will save $825 on preschool fees this year alone,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“I am proud that as a Government – because of our strong economic management – we can do more to ease cost of living pressures for parents and improve educational outcomes for our children.”
Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said access to two years of preschool education provides benefits to both children and the community.
“We know that two years of quality early childhood education leads to better performance throughout primary and high school, as well as better university and TAFE attendance, and better outcomes post-tertiary education,” Ms Mitchell said.
Since the Start Strong program was introduced in 2016, which subsidised funding for one year of preschool to begin with, attendance figures have overwhelmingly improved and daily fees have dropped.
“Participation rates have increased by more than 40 per cent for children enrolled for 600 hours, and average daily fees decreased by 25 per cent,” Ms Berejiklian said.
For more information on Start Strong, visit the Department of Education website.

More than a million NSW primary school children will be armed with the knowledge to lead healthy and happy lives, under a record funding boost to Life Education NSW.
The record $2 million funding delivered by the NSW Liberals & Nationals guarantees the not-for-profit organisation, which turns 40 this year, will continue to educate the next generation of young students with practical lessons delivered by the nation’s hardest working giraffe, Healthy Harold.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Healthy Harold and the Life Education experience has become a rite of passage in many primary schools and this funding would allow them to modernise their program by providing students access to cutting-edge augmented reality and 3D systems.

“Life Education is as important now as it has ever been. With boundless entertainment options in the digital age it is essential that important life lessons for children are delivered in an engaging and captivating way,” Ms Berejiklian said.

The new funding will assist with teaching young primary school students about issues including sun safety, road safety, and healthy eating.
For older students in Year 6, it will help them begin to tackle the complex issues they will face in high school, such as cyber safety and the dangers of drugs, alcohol and tobacco.
“It is so important that there is a platform like Life Education that reaches students on their level and helps educate them about the choices they will face,” Ms Berejiklian said.
Education Minister Rob Stokes said Life Education was a priceless asset to teachers delivering important lessons on sometimes sensitive issues.
“Life Education consults with local schools to ensure they cover the topics that may impact that particular school community. The fact that this service is run in conjunction with schools means the lessons have a greater chance of really reaching students,” he said.
Life Education NSW CEO Kellie Sloane said the funding would mean any school across the State that wants a visit will receive one, particularly benefitting regional areas.
“In NSW, sign-ups for our program are at a decade high,” Ms Sloane said.
“As demand from schools for our help increases, this funding is critical to help us reach more children, no matter how remote.”
The funding, over four years, is in addition to nearly $19 million committed by the NSW Liberals & Nationals to Life Education since 2011.

The NSW Government will hire an additional 4600 teachers to join the ranks of the public school system – delivering the highest number of teachers in the State’s history, Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Education Minister Rob Stokes announced today.

“We are investing record amounts into NSW schools and teachers, and this $2 billion investment has only been made possible due to the strong economic position created by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“It is so important to invest in our children to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the jobs of the future.”
This commitment will bring the total number of full-time positions funded by the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government to nearly 11,000 new teachers since we came to Government.
By comparison, Labor hired just over 1000 new teachers in their last five years in office. They closed more than 90 schools, with a secret plan to close 100 more and axe 7500 teachers.
This record-breaking teacher recruitment drive over four years will help staff the 170-plus new and upgraded schools being delivered as part of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government’s record $6 billion investment in school infrastructure.
Mr Stokes said he was thrilled to be growing NSW’s world-class teacher workforce.
“We have some of the best teachers in the world who have the incredibly rewarding career of shaping the lives of the next generation,” Mr Stokes said.
“It is my priority to ensure NSW continues to have the best schools and best teachers in the country.”
Last year, the NSW Government committed an additional $6.4 billion for public schools to 2027 as part of the Gonski deal with the Commonwealth, bringing the State’s total investment to $148 billion for government and non-government schools.
NSW was also the only State to provide extra money to public schools to complement the Commonwealth’s $1.2 billion Choice and Affordability Fund.

CommSec’s State of the States report has highlighted the rock solid fundamentals of the NSW economy which is continuing to power Australia’s growth and job creation.
The overall economic performance of NSW across all indicators saw the state ranked first, with our near-record unemployment level of 4.3 per cent a key highlight.
NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the report highlighted the state’s strong economic performance across all key economic indicators.
“We are a first class state with a very strong economy,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Some states are strong in a handful of areas, we rate highly right across the board.
“Our solid surpluses and record low net debt have allowed us to embark on an unprecedented $89.7 billion infrastructure investment.
“Our record investment is not just building better schools, roads, hospitals and public transport, it is helping power the economy and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.”
The CommSec report states: “NSW is consistently strong across the eight economic indicators.”
“Spending in NSW was 17.5 per cent above decade-average levels, once again supported by home building, infrastructure building and firm employment.
“In NSW the trend unemployment rate of 4.3 per cent hasn’t been bettered in monthly records going back to 1978.”
NSW placed equal first in the latest edition of the quarterly report, which ranks each state and territory’s economy by using decade averages across a range of key economic indicators including: retail spending, equipment investing, construction work and unemployment.
“Our fantastic growth would be in jeopardy under Labor,” Mr Perrottet said.
“They want to cancel a swathe of projects such as the F6 and South West Metro and this would kill growth and destroy jobs.
“Cancelling things is Labor’s default position. Doing nothing is their failed former Finance Minister’s happy place. Only the Liberals & Nationals have a plan for NSW and will continue to get the job done for NSW.”

Major construction work has started to deliver the biggest upgrade to Central Station in decades, including new Sydney Metro platforms deep underground and the landmark Central Walk.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the $955 million investment in the iconic station will improve public transport services and is only possible because of the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.
“This work underway at Central Station will form a key part of Australia’s first turn-up-and-go Metro network which will move an extra 100,000 customers an hour across the CBD,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Once complete in 2024 Metro trains will be pulling up at Central Station at least every four minutes in the peak. Ultimately the Metro will allow us to boost the number of rail services travelling through the CBD from 120 an hour to 200.
“By fixing the Bankstown Line bottleneck, the new Metro also allows us to add extra trains for Illawarra Line and South Coast customers, Western Line customers, Airport and South Line customers, and Inner West and Leppington Line customers.”
Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance said over the holiday period major construction work took place at both Central and Martin Place stations.
“We are seeing state-of-the-art construction techniques being used to keep customers moving around two of Sydney’s busiest railway stations,” Mr Constance said.
“At Central a military style-operation took place to build a temporary railway station platform in just three weeks.
“The temporary platform means Sydney Metro can be built 27 metres underground without disrupting normal train operations above.”
Crews were also busy in the heart of the city at the Martin Place Metro site.
A block of Martin Place was excavated 10 metres below street level and a two-level pre-fabricated steel pedestrian bridge was lifted into place, reassembled and re-opened to pedestrians.
Work was completed in time to reopen for the New Year and didn’t affect pre-existing sub surface infrastructure including old brick tunnels, pedestrian underpasses and utilities.
At the same time train testing is continuing on the Sydney Metro Northwest rail line from Rouse Hill to Chatswood which is due to open in the coming months. Metro rail services between Bankstown and Chatswood will open in 2024.

Boaters on NSW waterways will be even safer under the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government thanks to an extra $37.6 million pledged for Marine Rescue NSW over the next four years.
Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant said this major funding boost would help save lives on the water by delivering new purpose-built rescue vessels, upgraded operational centres and improvements to the marine radio network.
The funding will more than double Marine Rescue NSW’s annual budget and make a major difference to the support it can provide to boaters across the state.
“Community safety is our top priority and this major investment will deliver an extra layer of security and reassurance for anglers, divers and everybody who gets out on our amazing waterways,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“Whether it is our schools, hospitals or emergency services, we are delivering record investments to make a real difference for communities across NSW, and today’s announcement continues our commitment to world-class frontline services.
“This funding is only possible thanks to the strong economic management of the NSW Liberals & Nationals Government.”
Mr Grant said, “The NSW Liberals & Nationals Government will establish a new rescue unit on Lord Howe Island, as well as new or upgraded bases and boat buildings at Tweed Heads, Ballina, Narooma, Lake Macquarie, Middle Harbour, Newcastle and the Central Coast.”
Mr Grant said the extra funding would also deliver 38 brand new vessels to 28 rescue units, providing volunteers with better boats much sooner.
The vessels will go to the Alpine Lakes, Batemans Bay, Botany Port Hacking (Botany Bay and Port Hacking), Broken Bay, Central Coast, Cronulla, Crowdy Harrington, Eden, Evans Head, Hawkesbury, Jervis Bay, Kioloa, Lemon Tree Passage, Lord Howe Island, Merimbula, Moama, Nambucca, Narooma, Newcastle, Point Danger, Port Jackson, Port Kembla, Port Macquarie, Port Stephens, Sussex Inlet, Tuross, Woolgoolga and Tuggerah Lakes (The Entrance and Toukley).
“This new investment will also allow Marine Rescue NSW to upgrade the marine radio network, which Marine Rescue NSW maintains and operates,” Mr Grant said.
“This includes eliminating black spots along the south coast and on the Hawkesbury, making it much safer for boaters and the dedicated volunteers dispatched to support them in times of trouble.”
This new investment of $37.6 million over the next four years will boost the annual Marine Rescue NSW budget to more than $17 million.
Marine Rescue NSW Commissioner Stacey Tannos welcomed the announcement and said it will improve safety for boaters right across the State, and better equip the volunteers sent to support them in emergencies.
“For the first time we’ll be able to invest in a major capital works program to provide our units with efficient, safe and modern operating facilities,” Commissioner Tannos said.
Marine Rescue NSW operates a network of 44 rescue units along the NSW coastline, and at two priority inland waterways on the Alpine Lakes and Murray River.
In 2017-18, crews performed 2,802 rescue missions, including 840 missions in response to life-threatening emergencies, saving more than 6,800 lives.

Families have given the NSW Government’s new $100 Creative Kids vouchers a strong endorsement, with more than 70,000 vouchers downloaded since the program went live three weeks ago, with Western Sydney well represented. More than 830 providers have also registered with Service NSW.
Parents can use one voucher for every school-age child per year to help meet the cost of structured creative and cultural activities, such as music lessons, languages, coding, drama and theatre, photography and graphic design.
Minister for Finance, Services and Property Victor Dominello joined Member for Coogee Bruce Notley-Smith today at Randwick to release the figures.
The figures speak for themselves – parents simply love the new voucher and have given it the thumbs up, Mr Dominello said.
“The voucher is helping to unlock the creative abilities of young people, with parents in Kellyville, Castle Hill, Liverpool and Camden among those who have claimed the most vouchers so far. Among registered providers, performing arts and visual arts groups are the most represented.
“This program has been made possible due to our strong economic management – we’ve slashed the debt, balanced the books and put the State back in pole position.”
Mr Notley-Smith said: “Creative Kids complements the hugely popular Active Kids voucher, and that Creative and Active Kids vouchers combined will save a family with two children $400 a year.”
“The new school year starts next week and this voucher will help parents plan for creative and cultural activities, which can really add to a household budget.
“It is critical that providers register with Service NSW, so that parents can claim their vouchers with them.”
The following suburbs are among those that have downloaded the most vouchers:

Postcode	Suburb	Vouchers Downloaded
2155	Kellyville	960
2153	Baulkham Hills	673
2145	Westmead	541
2250	Erina	455
2170	Liverpool	448
2154	Castle Hill	447
2259	Tuggerah	440
2077	Hornsby	422
2570	Camden	422
2560	Appin	400

Creative Kids is one of a raft of NSW Government initiatives helping to ease cost of living pressure for households. Others include cheaper Green Slips and refunds, free car registration for regular toll users and the FuelCheck app. Further information on how to register as a provider and the program is at www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/creative-kids

Eight NSW Police Force officers and one civilian employee have been recognised as part of the Australia Day Honours List.
Acting Commissioner Gary Worboys APM extended his congratulations to the nine recipients whose collective policing experience covered from administrative, crime scene, general duties, road policing, investigations and public order management.
“This award recognises the important and valued contribution officers make to their local communities every day,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
“Combined, the recipients bring 299 years of service to the people of NSW. This is volumes of knowledge, experience and professionalism serving the people of NSW.
“Policing is a unique career, whether you’re a sworn officer or a civilian employee, you are exposed to the best and worst situations imaginable and this award is recognition of that selfless duty to service.
“I would encourage today’s nominees to look upon their nominations as a thank you, not just from the communities you serve so diligently, but the entire state,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
The Australian Police Medal (APM) recipients are:

• Sergeant Phillip Elliott

• Chief Inspector Paul Fownes, OAM

• Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett

• Detective Superintendent Kenneth Finch

• Superintendent David Johnson

• Superintendent Dean Smith

• Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte

• Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot

Ms Roslyn Lang, Local Area Manager of the Mid North Coast Police District, has been awarded the Public Service Medal (PSM).
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL –
Sergeant Phillip Joseph Elliott – Crime Scene Command – Sergeant Phillip Elliott joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Mona Vale Police Station. Sergeant Elliott performed general duty roles in the Chatswood area until 1990 where he transferred to the Crime Scene Unit. Sergeant Elliott is the most experience operational forensic supervisor in New South Wales. He has attended countless crime scenes including the Rozelle building explosion (2014).
As a qualified Disaster Victim Identification (DVI) Co-ordinator, Sergeant Elliott has been tasked to many high-profile crime and disaster incidents including the 1996 Port Arthur shootings in Tasmania, the 2005 Indian Ocean Tsunami in Thailand and in 2006, Sergeant Elliott travelled to Baghdad, Iraq as part of a NSWPF team to investigate the shooting death of Australian Defence Force Member Private Jake Kovco. Further noteworthy forensic investigations include the bushfires in the Wentworth Falls and Casula areas and leading a team of forensic investigators into the Quakers Hill Nursing Home Fire.
Chief Inspector Paul Philip Fownes OAM – Traffic and Highway Patrol Command – Chief Inspector Paul Phillip Fownes joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and was confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Maroubra Police Station. Chief Inspector Fownes spent a considerable period in General Duties in the eastern parts of Sydney from 1987 to 1996, predominantly at Maroubra. In 1996, Chief Inspector Fownes transferred into the Highway Patrol Command initially at Maroubra and then similar duties in the City CBD where he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 1999. He then transferred to Botany Bay Local Area Command where he continued in the Highway Patrol Command as a Supervisor. Chief Inspector Fownes has a long and extinguished service in community engagements in the Maroubra area. In particular, during the aftermath of the Cronulla Riots in 2005 and also driver education programs he developed and facilitated with the Eastern Suburbs PCYC.
Chief Inspector Fownes was a key presenter on Traffic Offender Programs in the Eastern Beaches area and an avid Life Saving Club member at the Maroubra Surf Club.
In 2012, Chief Inspector Fownes became the Region Traffic Tactician for the Central Metropolitan Highway Patrol Command. A position which Chief Inspector Fownes still holds. Chief Inspector Fownes was instrumental in the development and ongoing review of the NSW Police Force operating procedures on the Emergency Medical Transfer
Detective Superintendent Darren Murray Bennett – Counter Terrorism and Special Tactics Coammand – Detective Superintendent Darren Bennett joined the NSW Police Force in 1986 and confirmed as a Constable at the Wagga Wagga Patrol. Superintendent Bennett then transferred to the Kings Cross Patrol and into his chosen career path of criminal investigation. In his role as Commander of the Terrorism Investigation Unit, Superintendent Bennett has played integral roles in the following high-profile Counter Terrorism related operations; Operation Appleby where he received a Commissioners (AFP) Group Citation. Operation Chillion – foiled an attack at Parramatta Westfields, Operation Castrum – arrests of individuals in acts of preparation for, or planning a terrorist act and further operations relating to alleged plots of terror including the Curtis Cheng murder in 2015.
He currently holds the role of National Counter Terrorism Investigations Capability Advisor and has completed the Leadership in Counter Terrorism Program. Superintendent Bennett developed the ANZCTC Multi-Jurisdictional Preventative CT Investigation Protocol and is currently the Co-Ordinator of Exercise Northern Harrier, the Senior Executive Protocol training into multi-agency response to terrorism incidents.
Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch – State Intelligence Command – Detective Superintendent Kenneth James Finch joined the NSW Police Force as a cadet in 1977 and confirmed as a Constable of Police at the Chatswood Police Station. Superintendent Finch is one of the longest serving officers at the rank of Superintendent. He has had a long and distinguished career in criminal investigation in the State Crime Command leading Licensing, Firearms and Organised Crime squads. Superintendent Finch was a Police Prosecutor from 1990-1997 when he was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the role of Duty Officer in the Wagga Wagga Local Area Command until 2000. Since being promoted to Superintendent in 2000, he has been the commander of areas such as Griffith, Investigations Unit, Professional Standards Command, Newtown and The Rocks. Superintendent Finch has continued in Commander roles in the State Crime Command as the Director of the Organised Crime Directorate where he successfully managed the operational activities and administration of all 6 Organised Crime Squads.
In 2013, Superintendent Finch was commended for his role in Strike Force Maxworthy, an investigation which resulted in the dismantling of a crime syndicate involved in the major importation of handguns into Australia.
Superintendent David Johnson – Burwood Police Area Command – Superintendent David Johnson joined the NSW Police Force in 1985 and confirmed as a Constable at the Petersham Police Station. Superintendent Johnson has been commended for his work at the ABCI in Canberra by the NSW Crime Commissioner and received an Olympic Citation medal for his services at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games.
Superintendent Johnson has been seconded to numerous Task Force investigations including Task Force Air (Ivan Milat), Task Force Colo (paedophile syndicates) and the investigation review into the murder of Sydney underworld figure Angelo Duros.
Once returning to Sydney from Canberra in 2002, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Inspector in the Operational Information Agency where he managed the Pawnbrokers Unit, Child Protection Register and Missing Persons Unit.
In 2005, Superintendent Johnson became the Project Director for the introduction of Computer Aid Dispatch System (CADS) which culminated in Superintendent Johnson being awarded the Commissioners Certificate of Merit and Unit Citation.
In 2008, Superintendent Johnson was promoted to the rank of Superintendent performing the role of General Manager, Business Technical Services, Client Services – Field and from 2012 became the Commander, Ashfield Local Area Command.
In 2018, Superintendent Johnson was appointed as the inaugural Burwood Police Area Commander.
Superintendent Dean Smith – Lake Illawarra Police District – Superintendent Dean Raymond Smith joined the NSW Police Force in 1988 and was confirmed as a Constable at Sutherland Police Station. Superintendent Smith performed general duties at the Sutherland Police Station and shortly after moved into criminal investigation duties at the same location. In 1994, Superintendent Smith transferred to the Drug Enforcement Agency and later the Organised Crime Squad where he was performed criminal investigations into major crime syndicates. At the completion of a seconded relieving opportunity at the Olympics Security Command in 2000.
In late 2017, Superintendent Smith was appointed to the position of Commander, Lake Illawarra Police District Command. In this role, he has had an immediate impact with the Aboriginal and CALD communities within the district including attending many community events and building relationships. Without exception, whatever location Superintendent Smith takes on, becomes a better workplace for employees in terms of equity and support whilst delivering strong outcomes in terms of crime and community.
Chief Superintendent Scott Andrew Whyte – Office of the Commissioner – Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and was confirmed as a Constable at Bankstown Local Area Command. During his career, Chief Superintendent Whyte was the lead on multiple strike forces that have successfully resulted in substantial convictions of offenders charged with serious offences throughout south and south-western Sydney. In 2011, he became Operations Co-ordinator, Gangs Squad, State Crime Command.
In the State Crime Gangs Squad, Chief Superintendent Whyte developed and led Strike Force Kinnara – one of the first investigations to utilise a 3-tiered approach of Disruption, Response and Targeting. This investigation led to the arrest of 45 members of OMCG members culminating in over 150 charges being laid. In 2013, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was successfully promoted to the rank of Superintendent and performed the role of Commander at the then Rosehill and Bankstown local area commands. In 2018, Chief Superintendent Scott Whyte was appointed as the Chief of Staff to the NSW Police Commissioner.
Assistant Commissioner Gelina Talbot – Professional Standards Command – Assistant Commissioner Talbot joined the NSW Police Force in 1990 and confirmed as Constable at Kings Cross Police Station. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has undertaken general duties from 1990 to 2007 at various metropolitan and regional NSW Commands including a secondment to the NSW Department of Premier & Cabinet as a project officer for Crime Prevention Partnerships.
In 2013, Assistant Commissioner Talbot relieved as a Local Area Commander across many Commands in the Central Metropolitan Region before becoming appointed as Commander of the Barwon Local Area Command, Western Region. In that time, she successfully managed escalating public order issues relating to coal seam gas operations in the area to which she was commended. In 2018, Assistant Commissioner Talbot was appointed as Assistant Commissioner, Professional Standards Command.
Assistant Commissioner Talbot has made significant contributions to the safety of metropolitan and regional NSW communities as Commander of Police Commands in those areas. Assistant Commissioner Talbot has been awarded the St Johns Emergency Services Award and the NSWPF Commissioners Perpetual Award for Advancement of Women in Policing – Dynamic leader Award
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
Ms Roslyn LANG – Mid North Coast Police District – As a long standing and highly respected administrative member of the New South Wales Police Force, Ms Lang has held her current role of Local Area Manager, Mid North Coast, since 1997.
She is responsible for managing and supporting a Local Command workforce of almost 200 police officers and administrative staff and she has a detailed knowledge and understanding of corporate policies and standards, and always implements processes for high quality work to minimise risks to the organisation. She contributes to a number of significant and varied projects from major reviews of Human Resources practices and policies, to large scale property projects which require detailed stakeholder consultation. She is recognised as an experienced and well-balanced leader, and has developed many systems for implementation, monitoring and evaluation of new work practices which have been replicated by other Commands in NSW. In 2012, her outstanding service was acknowledged with the NSW Police Force Employee of the Year Award in recognition of her contribution to the core business of the NSW Police Force, through the maximisation of resources and in the provision of a safe and comfortable workplace across the Mid North Coast Command.

Two current and one former NSW Police Force employees have been named in the Australia Day Honours list as recipients of the Order of Australia Medal
Chief Inspector Colin Lott of Tuggerah Lakes Police District and Mr John Hughes of Penrith Radio have been nominated alongside retired Detective Chief Inspector Reginald Lemme.
Acting Commissioner Gary Worboys APM extended his congratulations to the three recipients whose community service ethic has been recognised at the highest level.
“These three men have dedicated their lives to the NSW Police Force, and this is the highest recognition for their selfless contribution to the communities they have served,” A/Commissioner Worboys said.
Chief Inspector Colin Lott has been recognised for his service to the community through a range of roles. This includes his work with the NSW Police Force, St Johns Ambulance and Hornsby Hospital.
Mr John Hughes of Penrith Radio has been recognised for his service to the community through emergency response organisation. This includes his work as a senior communications officer at Penrith Radio Operations since 2001.
Detective Inspector (retired) Reginald Lemme has been recognised for service to the community through pipe bands. Mr Lemme has been a drum major in the NSW Police Force Pipe band since 1997. He also assisted with the band’s reformation as a voluntary unit. The former Officer in the Charge of the Homicide Squad also assists as the Dress and Drill Tutor, Pipe Band Program, The Scots College, since 2007.

The Coalition government is due to return Australia to surplus from next financial year.
Despite the improving financial standing of the nation, the Labor Party proposes to hit the economy with $200 billion in new taxes.
Labor will turn Australia into a high tax paradise. There will be brand new taxes on houses, shares, superannuation funds, trusts and there will be higher personal income taxes for millions.
Small businesses, typical “mum and dad” investors and the economy at large will suffer from this swag of unnecessary taxes.
One of the worst new taxes is Labor’s housing tax.
The housing tax has two elements: (1) a ban on negative gearing on existing homes and (2) a reduction on the capital gains discount for assets held for more than one year from 50 to 25 per cent.
This proposal will end the practice of deducting investment costs (such as loan interest) against wage and salary income unless the investment is a new house. This overturns a fundamental principle that expenses are deductable for tax purposes.
There are three significant problems with this new tax.
Firstly, this will do nothing to boost housing affordability – indeed it will likely increase rents.
Labor’s attack focuses on the evils of negative gearing exercised by “property barons” and have promised to improve housing affordability.
Labor says: “this policy will see a boost in new housing and will provide young families with the chance to find a home, and will take pressure off inner city housing markets that are predominantly made up of existing dwellings”
Any link between banning negative gearing and increasing affordability is totally confused.
How would increasing housing taxes which reduces investment in housing create more homes?
With studies showing the policy will dry up investment into both new and existing houses, it is more likely we will end up with fewer houses which are worth less with higher rents.
Cadence Economics’ study for the Master Builders Association shows the housing tax will reduce supply of housing in Australia:
“Changes to limit negative gearing to new dwellings and reduce the CGT discount to 25% are estimated over the next five years to reduce new dwelling starts by between 10,000 and 42,000.”
Meanwhile according to housing market experts Corelogic Data, the prospect of misguided tax policies are already impacting the supply of new homes:
“Potentially investor sentiment is being weighed down by the potential for changes to taxation policies related to housing should there be a change of government.”
Secondly, Labor’s housing tax is poorly targeted.
Australians with more modest assets will suffer the worst consequences. The policy cancels the ability to deduct investment expenses against wages but not against non-wage income.
70 per cent of people using negative gearing have one property and have a net rental loss of less than $10,000.
Treasury says people earning less than $100,000 will be able to claim on average 28 per cent of their investment costs (unless they invest in new housing). Whereas people earning more than $109,000 will be able to keep claiming 86% of their investment costs in existing housing.
Big wig investors will be able to use income derived from non-wage income such as investments in other houses or complicated investment schemes.
Property tycoons win out whilst the nurses, teachers and police investors miss out.
The Centre for Independent Studies has said: “the proportional benefit of negative gearing is substantial at low income levels. This could include non-working spouses holding negatively geared property. Abolishing negative gearing will disproportionately hurt the lower income earners.”
Thirdly, it is unclear what the purpose of this policy is; and when it starts.
On purpose, despite the policy being likely to reduce housing supply and therefore affordability, its confused stated aim is to improve housing affordability by reducing investment.
Even one of Labor’s key budgetary advisers Bob Officer says “What is the social cost associated with home ownership or investment in housing? As a generality there is none. In fact, one could argue for a social benefit in that providing housing encourages better citizenship and social cohesion.”
Why would any political party want to reduce investment in housing?
In reality, it is a populist exercise which has the illusion of smashing rich people when it simply reduces opportunities available to all working Australians.
Surely now that Sydney and Melbourne house prices are falling by 9 and 6 per cent respectively, even Labor will not maintain the lie this policy will increase affordability.
On timing, Labor’s official website says:  “Labor will limit negative gearing to new housing from a yet-to-be-determined date after the next election.”
Newspaper reports claim the Opposition Leader is “unsure” when the policy would start. Sound good? Only if you don’t want to buy a house, rent a house or invest for the future.
Australia is soon to be back in surplus and cannot afford amateur hour economic management.
Andrew Bragg is the Liberal Senate camdidate for NSW