Category: NSW News

The future sustainability of the NSW budget is being put at risk by today’s announcement by Treasurer Daniel Mookhey that contributions towards the NSW Generations Fund (NGF) will be indefinitely suspended.

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope MLC has raised concerns that the Minns Labor Government is planning to abolish a fund set up to responsibly manage the state’s debt.

“The taxpayers of NSW should be concerned that the savings responsibly invested for the future are going to be raided to pay for Labor’s unfunded election promises”, Mr Tudehope said.

“The NSW Generations Fund (NGF) is NSW’s superannuation fund that delivers investment returns to ensure the state’s long-term debt obligations are managed responsibly.

“NSW taxpayers expect the Government to responsibly manage funds for the future while spending within their means today, its clear Labor does not agree with this approach.

“The Treasurer needs to rule out any move to abolish the NGF and assure NSW taxpayers that the fund will remain in place for the purpose of debt retirement.”

The Treasurer has also asked a Labor-dominated committee to review the long-term strategy for the NGF.

“The Treasurer is asking members of his own party to lead a committee to review the NGF strategy, it is akin to putting Dracula in charge of the bloodbank.”

The NGF was established by the former Coalition Government as a responsible way to manage the State’s debt obligations to ease the burden of the State’s debt on future generations by setting funds aside.

Contributions into the NGF included the sale of WestConnex and cash surpluses delivered by budget surpluses and invested by the State’s funds management arm TCorp.

The Opposition is calling out Labor’s Budget blackhole lie, saying the Government is shifting blame for its broken promises, wrong priorities and public sector union wage deal cost blowout.

“The Government is choosing to slash vital cost of living programs including Active Kids, Creative Kids and First Lap, to limit energy relief for NSW households and to risk vital infrastructure projects in order to deliver its unfunded election promises,” Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said.

“The Labor Government has seemingly plucked a figure out of thin air, and hasn’t substantiated its claim that there’s a $7 billion blackhole. This is Labor’s Budget blackhole – and these attempts to sheet responsibility back to the former government simply don’t pass the test.”

“The cause of Labor’s Budget blackhole is it’s unfunded public sector wages deal. Before the election Labor said that any public sector wage increase would be paid for through productivity gains. Its submission to the independent Parliamentary Budget Office showed a cost of $0 over the forward estimates.”

“Labor now reveals that its 4.5% pay rise, which is yet to be accepted by all unions, will cost $618 million in 2023-24 and $2.5 billion over the forward estimates. Yesterday the Premier claimed to have found over $600 million in savings to pay for this broken promise – but again he can’t provide the detail to substantiate his words.”

“Slashing Active Kids and slashing other cost of living programs are not productivity savings. These are hits on cost of living programs that will be paid for by NSW families.”

Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope highlighted the strong economic record of the Coalition government that confirmed two AAA credit ratings.

“Labor’s complaints about the State’s debt reek of hypocrisy – Labor supported every measure delivered in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and natural disasters, and supported infrastructure programs financed through debt. Despite these challenges, NSW retained two AAA Credit Ratings,” Mr Tudehope said.

“NSW State net debt is projected to stabilise at about 14 per cent of Gross State Product by June 2026, compared with a projected 26.5 per cent under the Victorian Labor Andrews Government at 30 June 2026.”

“Without having identified any potential reductions in our State’s debt, its rich for the Treasurer to express shock at debt that has been forecast and known since before the election.”

Mr Speakman said that the Coalition is proud of its economic management, record investment in schools, hospitals and infrastructure; and support for families, households and businesses.

“Chris Minns must take responsibility for the fact NSW households and families are paying the price for Labor’s broken promises,” Mr Speakman concluded.

The NSW Opposition has condemned the Labor Government’s decision to slash the value of Active Kids and First Lap vouchers, cease the standalone Creative Kids voucher and massively restrict the eligibility of NSW families.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said hundreds of thousands of NSW families will lose hundreds of dollars each year.

“Before the election, Chris Minns promised to fund Active Kids vouchers, and after months of uncertainty families across NSW are paying for Labor’s broken promise,” Mr Speakman said.

“Given the rising pressure on family budgets, Chris Minns’ cuts mean children right across NSW will miss out on the opportunity to learn to swim, play sport and participate in creative activities.

“NSW families shouldn’t pay for the Labor Government’s broken promises and wrong priorities.”

Visiting Sutherland Aquatic Centre today, Shadow Minister for Sport Eleni Petinos said the first 12 months of the First Lap program had saved NSW families $18 million on swimming lessons.

“These vouchers not only reduce pressure on family budgets, they also give our young ones water safety and survival skills which could quite literally save lives,” Ms Petinos said.

“With 87 per cent of Australians living within 50 kilometres of the coastline, financial support for swimming lessons is too important to be cut by the Labor Government.”

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Shadow Planning and Housing Minister Scott Farlow have called on the Labor Government to explain how their plan to increase densities for projects with 15% affordable housing will deliver more affordable homes.    

“The Opposition is committed to working constructively with the government to identify solutions to the National housing crisis, but we need more than social tiles and press releases to see how the Government will actually deliver 314,000 homes in the next five years,” Mr Speakman said.

“To date, the Labor Government have demonstrated an ideological approach, including the repeal of First Home Buyers Choice which increases the barriers to home ownership and their ill-fated rental reforms that would have resulted in higher rents.”

“Today’s announcement in concerning as there’s no evidence that the Labor Government have engaged with industry, stakeholders or local government.”

“Solving the housing crisis will take more than repackaging old policies and telling communities to “get out of the way”.

“We call on the Labor Government to provide detail to today’s announcement, how many properties will it deliver? Where will they be built? And will appropriate access to infrastructure including public transport be guaranteed?”

Mr Farlow questioned how the proposed change in affordable housing requirements, from 20% to 15% would deliver more affordable homes, given the Labor Government had provided no detail or modelling.

“The requirement of 15% affordable housing in order to gain a floor space ratio bonus is less than the 20% trigger that exists at present under the Housing SEPP, while delivering increased floor space ratio and height bonuses,” Mr Farlow said.

“How many additional dwellings will be delivered as a result of this change?” Mr Farlow said.

“At the same time the Labor Government announces higher density for the city, they announce plans to reduce Sydney’s housing supply by removing new greenfield sites. People across Sydney should have choice about where and how they live.”

“Our State needs a properly thought through response, with detailed policies and the impact of change understood – not the quick fix bandaid solutions evidenced by this Labor Government.”

Eleven different marine and environmental groups have come together today on World Ocean Day to support the NSW Coalition’s proposed legislation to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining, and exploration in NSW waters.

The Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023 will deliver on the Coalition’s long-held policy to prevent offshore mining and exploration in NSW waters.

Professional sportspeople, community advocates, scientists and economists joined environmental groups in a strong show of support for the Bill.

“On World Ocean Day we’re calling on all political parties and independents to unite behind this important bill, which will provide certainty for our coastal communities,” Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said.

Shadow Environment Minister Kellie Sloane says the Coalition’s legislation cements its opposition to offshore gas exploration and mining.

“Our coastal communities have long been opposed to offshore drilling for gas. We have listened. We made a commitment. And now we are acting on that commitment.”

“These new laws will make it clear to anyone looking to drill for gas in NSW waters they can forget about it.”

Member for Pittwater Rory Amon will introduce the Bill, as one of his first acts as the new local member.

“This is a strong demonstration that the Coalition will continue to stand up for our communities, and the people of NSW, and act when the Labor Government fails to do so.”

To help tackle beach erosion, the proposed legislation will continue to allow mineral exploration or mining in NSW waters for beach nourishment where a clear public benefit can be demonstrated.

Member for Manly James Griffin has been a strong voice advocating on behalf of the local community.

“As the Member for Manly I have long campaigned to ensure our coastline remains pristine and protected. Today is another example of my commitment to that mission”.

NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman has called on the Minns Labor Government to protect household budgets from increasing cost of living pressures.

As households across the state are hit with another interest rate rise, the Labor Government won’t come clean on what programs will be cut to deliver their unfunded $618 million per annum wage offer to union bosses.

“At a time when many families are struggling, the last thing they need is for this government to cut vital programs like Active Kids. The Premier needs to prioritise families ahead of deals with unions,” Mr Speakman said.

“The Minns Labor Government must immediately explain how they’ll pay for their unfunded wage offer.

“The Labor Party went to the election claiming that wage increases would cost $0, but that has now been proven to be a lie.

“They had also promised before the election that productivity savings would be made to offset increasing public sector wages, but so far no savings have been identified.

“With the state now facing a $618 million annual bill, we don’t know what will be cut to pay for it.

“A responsible government does not offer unfunded pay rises or put additional pressure on people across this state at the worst possible time as prices and interest rates skyrocket.”

“Wage increases for public sector workers are important, but they shouldn’t come at the expense of cost of living support for families and households who are struggling during these difficult economic times,” Mr Speakman concluded.

Labor has failed in its first attempt at rental reform, backflipping on the secret rent bidding ban and abandoning the measure.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said that it was clear that Labor hadn’t done the work in developing legislation to ban secret rent bidding.

“The Government rushed the process, did not properly consult and ignored warnings,” Mr Speakman said.

“It’s day 74 and the broken promises are mounting. They’re backflipping on election promises. They promised to ban secret rental bidding and have now backflipped. They promised to roll over Active Kids and are now looking to cancel it. They promised that extra wage increases would cost nothing and be offset with productivity gains but it’s now going to cost $618 million per annum. They promised no privatisation but they’re now looking to privatise public land.”

Shadow Fair Trading Minister Tim James said the government should have never attempted to introduce such under prepared policy.

“Labor has let down renters. During a rental affordability crisis we need a government that understands the issues facing the people of NSW instead of making life harder.”

“If Labor did the homework, and listened to the community and experts earlier, it wouldn’t be forced into a backflip on this poorly conceived idea that everyone had said would inflate rents,” said Mr James.

“The government needs to explain why they ignored repeated warnings that this policy will create a rental auction that fuels rent increases, putting a home further out of reach for millions of NSW renters.”

“This flawed process has placed uncertainty and anxiety on renters and the property industry.”

Mr Speakman said the people of NSW deserve better from their government.

World Environment Day 2023 is a reminder that people’s actions on plastic pollution matters.

Shadow Minister for the Environment Kellie Sloane says it’s up to each and every one of us to play our part, and is urging people to go plastics-free for World Environment Day today – and to kick start some new habits to protect our planet.

Under the former Coalition Government single use plastics such as lightweight plastic bags were initially banned, followed by single-use plastic straws, stirrers, polystyrene cups.

Ms Sloane has called on the Labor Government to work with industry to find sustainable alternatives to other single use plastics items that remain on our supermarket shelves, such as single use plastic bowls and cups with lids, plastic stickers on fruit and oxo-degradable plastics which break down into micro plastics but don’t degrade.

“NSW generates 800,000 tonnes of plastic each year and only 10% is recycled, “said Ms Sloane.

“The previous Coalition Government had a clear plan to triple the plastics recycling rate by 2030. We are creating a mountain of waste that simply doesn’t break down – and so much of it is unnecessary.”

“The failure of the REDcycle recycling scheme, which saw the stockpiling of tonnes of soft plastics from Coles and Woolworths, has made it even more important to come up with new and innovative solutions to manage waste.”

Ms Sloane invited people right across NSW to come together this World Environment Day and join the global effort to #BeatPlasticPollution

For more information visit: https://www.worldenvironmentday.global

The NSW Coalition will introduce legislation to prevent offshore coal, gas, mineral and petroleum mining and exploration in NSW waters, fulfilling an election commitment and renewing calls for the Federal Labor Government to prevent offshore mining in neighbouring Commonwealth waters.

The Minerals Legislation Amendment (Offshore Drilling and Associated Infrastructure Prohibition) Bill 2023 will deliver on the Coalition’s policy to prevent offshore mining and exploration in NSW waters.

“The former NSW Coalition Government was consistently opposed to offshore mining due to the grave concerns we hold about the possible impact on the environment,” Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said.

Shadow Environment Minister Kellie Sloane has called on the Labor Government to support the legislation saying “the Coalition will always stand up for the environment and our communities, who have said loud and clear that care deeply about our pristine coastline”.

“The NSW and Federal Labor Governments must confirm that they support our ban, otherwise the uncertainty of future offshore exploration and mining will continue to hang over our coastal communities,” Ms Sloane said.

Member for Pittwater Rory Amon, who will introduce the Bill in the Parliament, said this fulfils a key election promise and makes it abundantly clear that anyone looking to drill for gas in NSW waters won’t have the opportunity.

“Pittwater is just one of many coastal electorates who hold deep concerns about the environmental impact of mining and exploration off our shore,” Mr Amon said.

“I made clear prior to the election that this would be a priority of mine, and I am pleased that this is one of my first actions as the Member for Pittwater. This is a strong demonstration that the Coalition will continue to stand up for our communities, and the people of NSW, and act when the Labor Government fails to do so.”

To help tackle beach erosion, the proposed legislation will continue to allow mineral exploration or mining in NSW waters for beach nourishment where a clear public benefit can be demonstrated.

At the last election, NSW Labor ran a blatant Mediscare style campaign on the privatisation of Sydney Water.

The shameless campaign had no basis in fact, as the Coalition was not going to privatise water assets, and strongly supported keeping them in public ownership.

Labor’s political campaign has now resulted in a legislative stunt, which is not only unnecessary but also does not adequately protect end-to-end water supply either within Sydney or outside of Sydney.

Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman called out the Labor Bill as an improper use of the NSW Constitution, and the culmination of a shameless scare campaign orchestrated by Labor and the unions in order to trick voters and win an election campaign.

“We will be moving amendments to the Bill, but our preference is to have protections in their own Act of Parliament, in accordance with proper constitutional principles,” Mr Speakman said. “If Labor’s objective for the Bill is to protect water assets from privatisation, then this Bill falls severely short. It’s hurried policy simply designed to suit the Labor Government’s political purposes.”

“Our amendments would properly protect the State Owned Corporations responsible for the supply and delivery of water from privatisation.”

Shadow Attorney General Alister Henskens said the limited scope of this legislation could be interpreted as a secret agenda by the Labor Government to privatise excluded water assets.

“The Warragamba Dam is owned by WaterNSW rather than Sydney Water or Hunter Water and this Bill raises the question of whether there is a secret agenda to privatise the many water assets in our state that lie outside of the scope of Sydney Water and Hunter Water,” said Mr Henskens. “WaterNSW’s own website shows that it supplies two-thirds of water used in NSW, and it is not covered by this Bill.”

Shadow Minister for Water Steph Cooke said the Bill falls desperately short in protecting the water rights of people across State.

“This Bill discriminates against the 1.85 million people who obtain their water from water utilities other than Sydney Water and Hunter Water,” Ms Cooke said. “By focusing just on Sydney and Hunter and failing to acknowledge the rest of the NSW, this Bill raises serious questions about to the future security of WaterNSW and the 89 local water utilities across regional, rural and remote NSW.”

“If Labor were truly serious about protecting end-to-end water supply in New South Wales, they will support our proposed amendments and not exclude one third of our State’s population, simply because of the location of their water meter.”