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Minns Labor government invests $3.5 billion to tackle school infrastructure backlog for Western Sydney

The Minns Labor government will invest a record $3.5 billion over 4 years to deliver a massive pipeline of more than 60 new and upgraded public schools in Sydney’s rapidly growing western suburbs.

Labor’s investment in Western Sydney schools is $500 million higher than the former Liberal National government’s budget for the area.

The funding injection will ensure there are quality public schools for the city’s growing communities into the future.

The capital unlocked in this budget will fund the following new schools:

new primary school near Sydney Olympic Park
new high school for Wentworth Point
new high school for Melrose Park
new primary school for Gables
new primary school for Melonba
new high school for Melonba
new primary school for Nirimba Fields
new primary school for Tallawong
new high school for Schofields and Tallawong
new high school for Jordan Springs
new primary school for Gregory Hills
new high school for Gledswood Hills and Gregory Hills
new high school for Leppington and Denham Court
new high school for Edmondson Park
new primary school for Liverpool (Gulyangarri Public School).

The Minns Labor government will also upgrade schools to deliver new facilities and address overcrowding.

Suburbs where schools will be upgraded include Austral, Cecil Hills, Condell Park, Dundas, Eagle Vale, Kingswood, Leppington, Northmead and The Ponds.

The delivery of these new and upgraded schools represents a key election commitment from the Minns Labor Government, which came to power with a mandate to fix the school infrastructure backlog in Sydney’s growth areas.

As part of its plan, the Minns government remains committed to building 9 schools promised but not started under the Liberal National government’s WestInvest scheme.

The government is due to hand down the findings of its Enrolment Growth Audit later this year, which will ensure education is factored into future planning for the city and address the former government’s failures to provide local public schools in expanding suburban areas.

These essential infrastructure builds and upgrades can be funded because the Minns Labor government is making the difficult but responsible decisions with spending.

The Minns Labor government is setting out a long-term plan to gradually repair the budget in a sustainable way, to reprioritise spending to where it is needed most, and to rebuild the essential services that we all rely on.

And it will be done without privatising essential public assets or imposing an unfair cap on the wages of our essential service workers.

Premier Chris Minns said:

“Thousands of families moved into suburbs like Schofields, Tallawong, Nirimba Fields and The Ponds on the promise of local schools for their children, but the former government never delivered them.

“We were elected with a mandate to rebuild essential services – and there is nothing more essential than the education of the next generation of children.

“We are a government with a clear focus – managing our finances responsibly so we can provide support when you need it most and improve the essential services that we all rely on, now and into the future.”

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education Prue Car said:

“For years, Western Sydney’s rapidly growing communities have been crying out for more public schools for young families, but the previous Liberal National government chose to leave them behind.

“This Labor government understands how important it is for all young families to have access to a local public school, where children can get a high quality, education without a lengthy commute or expensive fees.

“We are not only building the schools that families need – we are ensuring those schools are properly staffed with qualified teachers who are appropriately paid, working to undo the former government’s erosion of pay and conditions that left NSW in a teacher shortage crisis.

“The Minns Labor government is making the careful and necessary decisions to address the holes left in the budget by the Liberals and ensure we fund the essential services people rely on. We are focusing on what people need most, and that’s essential services like high quality local schools.”

Willow Grove

The NSW Minns Labor Government will not proceed with a costly rebuild of Willow Grove in Parramatta, following comments from Heritage experts that a rebuild would be an act of “fake heritage”.

The former Liberal Government demolished Willow Grove in late 2021, with the promise of rebuilding the heritage mansion at an alternative site.

It has now been revealed the former Liberal Government never allocated funds for the reconstruction.

The former government never resolved an alternative site.

Moving forward the Minns Labor Government has outlined three priorities to address the Parramatta community cultural and heritage needs:

Supporting the new Powerhouse Museum at Parramatta to appropriately engage with the heritage of their site.
Working with local community to consider the options to secure the Roxy Theatre for future generations. This includes developing a comprehensive Final Business Case for reactivating the venue.
Seek advice from the heritage and local community stakeholders the best way for the materials from Willow Grove to be used.

Minister for the Arts, John Graham said:

“It was a tragedy that Willow Grove was demolished, particularly against the community’s strong wishes to preserve it. However now that it’s been pulled down, it’s a terrible idea to try to rebuild it.

“More than that, the former government did not allocate funds or find a site for reconstruction, despite their promises that Willow Grove would be rebuilt.

“Given the heritage and broader community are strongly telling us that attempting to rebuild the beloved Willow Grove would be a bad use of taxpayer money – that it would be a “fake heritage” – and that there’s no money to do so, today we are drawing a line under this sorry saga. Willow Grove will not be rebuilt.

“The government will focus on heritage sites in Parramatta – such as the Roxy Theatre.

“Willow Grove had historical significance as a key site of female and First Nations history in the area, as well as an important site in the history of nursing and midwifery in NSW. Innovative and creative solutions should be found to honour those histories.

Background:

Willow Grove was built between 1870 and 1880 and formerly sat at 34 Phillip Street, Parramatta. It was deconstructed to make way for the Powerhouse Parramatta, currently under construction and due to open in 2025.
Community groups had long opposed the deconstruction of Willow Grove.
In November 2021, the Willow Grove Community Reference Group was formed to work in partnership with community and stakeholder groups on the relocation and use of Willow Grove.
April 2022, the National Trust withdrew from the Willow Grove Community Reference Group, citing concerns that the mansion could not be authentically reconstructed.
Prior to deconstruction, the condition of Willow Grove was extensively recorded by Create NSW. Willow Grove was carefully catalogued, dismantled and all building elements safely placed into secure storage. The collection includes items of local heritage importance, including the slate roofing, windows, the front door, timber framing and stairs, the front fence and over 90 per cent of the original bricks.
The Powerhouse Museum Parramatta has developed a heritage interpretation plan of the site. This plan includes the development of collaborative projects with First Nations communities. In relation to Willow Grove the following interpretation work will be delivered;
Sandstone– reinstatement of sandstone flooring from an original Willow Grove outhouse will be installed in the flooring of the undercroft. The sandstone flooring will be complemented by interpretive text panels outlining the history of the site including Willow Grove and its associated buildings.
Object Stories– archaeological relics (bottles, plates, teapots) excavated in the area surrounding Willow Grove will be accessioned into the Powerhouse collection. Displays of these objects will be utilised in Powerhouse programming and they will be digitised on the Powerhouse website along with further information on their origins
Mixed Use– Powerhouse will publish a book on the history of the Powerhouse Parramatta site. The book will tell the story of the site, its development and the people who inhabited it. This will include Willow Grove- its construction, uses and changes that occurred over time. A series of oral histories will be recorded that will form an ongoing living archive that will be accessible online and through the Powerhouse Research Library.

School’s out on Labor’s infrastructure plan

The Minns Labor Government is once again claiming credit for the Coalition’s work, after it announced it will build ‘new’ schools in Western Sydney.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman said Labor is reaping the rewards of the groundwork put in place by the Liberals and Nationals, with several of the schools already in the development stage.

“Most of these projects were only made possible by the planning and funding set aside by the former Government, but the Government is yet again trying to claim ideas that aren’t theirs,” Mr Speakman said.”

“By the Government’s own admission, $3 billion of today’s announcement is from the last Budget delivered by the Liberals and Nationals. Proof of this includes the fact that construction began in 2022 for the new high school at Wentworth Point and work started at Gulyangarri Primary School in Liverpool before Labor was elected.”

“During our time in Government, the Liberals and Nationals delivered $9.1b in new and upgraded schools since 2017, with an additional $8.6b in the pipeline for future projects, so that is more than $17.7 billion worth of school infrastructure across the state.”

In the Coalition’s 2022-23 Budget, money was allocated for the following schools in various stages of delivery:

New high school for Wentworth Point
New primary school for Gables
New primary school for Melonba
New high school for Melonba
New primary school for Nirimba Fields
New primary school for Tallawong
New primary school for Gregory Hills
New high school for Edmondson Park
New primary school for Liverpool (Gulyangarri Public)

Shadow Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said today’s announcement lacks detail and transparency.

“To say we didn’t invest in school infrastructure is another blatant Labor lie, especially considering only $500m of their announcement is supposedly ‘new’ money”, Ms Mitchell said.

“The Government hasn’t said if this is new money or a redirection of existing funds in the Budget. The Government needs to be up front with families about what other projects might be on the chopping block and what other parts of the state will miss out to pay for any new commitments in Western Sydney.”

Official: Labor Plunges Australia into Recession

There has been scant reporting of the fact that the Australian economy has plunged into a per capita recession by Labor incompetence, as revealed in the most recent economic set of figures released by the RBA.

A per capita recession was summarised by one person on Senator Hanson’s X thread as: “This is an economic term where even if the economy grows slightly, its growth is overrun by inflation. So citizens buying power goes backward even if the economy grows.”

While the aggregate economy showed a modest growth a closer examination reveals a more complex story, with per capita terms registering a concerning second consecutive decline of 0.3%.

Per Capita GDP Decline:

The ‘per capita’ metric provides a more accurate reflection of the economic well-being of individual Australians because it emphasises the importance of sustainable growth for all citizens.

Investment and Consumption Trends:

At the aggregate level, investment emerged as a significant contributor to economic growth, adding 0.5 percentage points. This was propelled by a massive 8.2% increase in public spending, while private investment also saw a very slow rate of 0.6%. Consumption, particularly household consumption, remained positive, albeit with a slight slowdown in growth (+0.1%).

Immigration’s Influence:

A noteworthy factor affecting Australia’s GDP growth is the Albanese Government’s unprecedented immigration program. The country saw a record net influx of 502,000 visa holders (excluding tourists) in the year leading up to July. Of these arrivals, student visas accounted for 297,000. This immigration surge has undoubtedly impacted the economic landscape, and not in a positive way!

Economic Challenges:

Despite the growth, it is evident that the economy’s pace is not rapid enough to absorb the influx of newcomers. Because of Labor’s gross and outrageous mass immigration program, the Prime Minister has undermined the whole Australian economy.

This situation has serious repercussions, leading to a squeeze on living standards, the division of the economic pie, and a shortage of rental homes and infrastructure.

Conclusion:

The ABS’s latest report on Australia’s economic performance underscores the complexity of the nation’s economic landscape. While aggregate figures may suggest growth, a deeper analysis reveals the importance of addressing per capita GDP declines, managing immigration dynamics, and ensuring that economic growth is inclusive and sustainable for all Australians. As the nation navigates these challenges, informed policy decisions and public discourse will play a crucial role in shaping the future of Australia’s economy.

NEW DELHI G20 LEADERS’ SUMMIT

Prime Minister Albanese joined world leaders in New Delhi this weekend for the G20 Leaders’ Summit to discuss collective responses to the world’s most pressing economic challenges.

G20 leaders discussed global measures to ease cost-of-living pressures, including free, fair and rules-based trade, enhancing supply chain resilience and shoring up food and energy security.

Australia’s attendance at the G20 Summit allows our country to work with the world’s major economies to shape solutions for our region and the world.

Climate change was high on the agenda, with Prime Minister Albanese advocating for collective action and outlining Australia’s plan to become a renewable energy superpower.

Australia also supported G20 work to deliver better, bigger and more accessible multilateral development banks to help developing countries, including in the Pacific, to pursue sustainable development and respond to climate change.

Discussion at the Summit highlighted the negative impact that Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine is having on the global economy, as well as its abhorrent toll on the people of Ukraine.

While at the Summit, the Prime Minister met bilaterally with some of Australia’s closest partners, including Indian Prime Minister Modi and Prime Minister Kishida of Japan.

Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida welcomed early progress under the Joint Declaration on Security Cooperation, including the recent entry into force of the Australia-Japan Reciprocal Access Agreement. This Agreement allows Australia and Japan to undertake more frequent defence training and exercises together, and with other partners, to make the region more secure.

Prime Minister Albanese and Prime Minister Kishida also discussed the importance of continued cooperation on our respective energy transition commitments.

During the Prime Minister’s Summit bilateral meetings he advocated for expedition in settling both the Australia-India CECA and Australia-EU FTA agreements as soon as possible to benefit Australian trade and economy.

The Prime Minister also attended a MIKTA Leaders’ Gathering with Mexico, Indonesia, the Republic of Korea and Türkiye, where leaders discussed how to enhance inter-regional cooperation and strengthen multilateralism to target global challenges.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said:

“I was honoured to join world leaders at the New Delhi G20 Leaders’ Summit this weekend, hosted by Prime Minister Modi.

“As we have seen, the global economic environment directly affects Australian households. That is why it’s crucial Australia contributes to global discussions on easing cost-of-living pressures.

“The G20 will continue to work together to drive global economic cooperation as we respond to shared challenges and navigate the global economy back to strong, sustainable and resilient growth.

“I thank Prime Minister Modi for India’s Presidency of the G20 this year,and look forward to working closely with President Lula da Silva as Brazil assumes the Presidency for 2024.”

DELIVERING ON THE $10 BILLION HOUSING AUSTRALIA FUTURE FUND

The Albanese Government is set to deliver the single biggest investment in social and affordable housing in more than a decade, with welcome new support today for the Housing Australia Future Fund meaning the legislation is set to pass the Senate later this week.

The passage of this legislation, along with the commitments made at last month’s National Cabinet, represents the most significant reforms to housing in a generation.

Delivering the Housing Australia Future Fund will ensure more Australians have a safe and affordable place to call home.

The $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund will create a secure, ongoing pipeline of funding for social and affordable rental housing, fulfilling the commitment the Government made to the Australian people.

In addition, today the Government confirms an additional $1 billion will be invested in the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to support new homes.

The Government thanks the Crossbench in the House of Representatives and the Senate, including the Greens, for the constructive engagement over a number of months on this critical legislation.

Returns from the Housing Australia Future Fund will help deliver the Government’s commitment of 30,000 new social and affordable rental homes in the fund’s first five years.

This includes 4,000 homes for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence or older women at risk of homelessness.

Fund returns will also deliver the Government’s commitments to help address acute housing needs, including:

$200 million for the repair, maintenance and improvement of housing in remote Indigenous communities
$100 million for crisis and transitional housing options for women and children impacted by family and domestic violence and older women at risk of homelessness; and
$30 million to build housing for veterans who are experiencing homelessness or at-risk of homelessness.

This will mean more homes for key workers, more affordable homes for Australian renters, and more homes for those most in need.

The Housing Australia Future Fund is backed by numerous stakeholders, including housing experts, community housing providers, and every state and territory Housing Minister.

The package of housing legislation also includes the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023, which will establish the National Housing Supply and Affordability Council as an independent statutory advisory body.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures No. 1) Bill 2023 changes the name of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation to Housing Australia and streamlines its functions.

The Housing Australia Future Fund is one part of the Albanese Government’s ambitious housing reform agenda, which also includes:

A $3 billion New Homes Bonus, and $500 million Housing Support Program
A new $2 billion Social Housing Accelerator to deliver thousands of new social homes across Australia.
A National Housing Accord which includes federal funding to deliver 10,000 affordable homes over five years from 2024 (to be matched by up to another 10,000 by the states and territories)
Increasing the maximum rate of Commonwealth Rent Assistance by 15 per cent, the largest increase in more than 30 years
Additional $2 billion in financing for more social and affordable rental housing through the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation
New incentives to boost the supply of rental housing by changing arrangements for investments in built-to-rent accommodation
$1.7 billion one-year extension of the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement with States and Territories, including a $67.5 million boost to homelessness funding over the next year
State and territories committing to A Better Deal for Renters
States and territories supporting the national roll out of the Help to Buy program, which will reduce the cost of buying a home.

NSW’s 95,000 teachers to receive largest pay rise in decades

The NSW Government has today secured a historic pay rise for NSW’s 95,000 teachers, landing a deal that will tackle the teacher shortage crisis and see educators go from being among the worst to the best paid in the country.

Today, the Teachers Federation Council has voted to endorse the generous offer made by the NSW Government to lift teachers’ wages and restore respect and integrity to the state’s education sector.

The agreement will mean all teachers’ salaries undergo the most significant uplift seen in NSW in almost three decades.

This agreement means starting salaries will increase from $75,791 to $85,000, and salaries for those at the top of the scale increase from $113,042 to $122,100 from October 9.

This offer recognises the value of the work that NSW teachers do and was informed by findings of the Gallop report.

Every teacher will benefit as the pay scale is restructured into seven steps ensuring a more rapid progression.

This investment in our state’s education is desperately needed, following the neglect under the Liberals and Nationals, where poor funding decisions led to declining outcomes for students, and thousands of talented teachers quitting the profession.

Striking this deal is a vital part of the NSW Government’s plan to rebuild the essential services people rely on, taking pressure off working families who need a reliable public education system.

This uplift is part of the Government’s long-term goal to sustainably repair the budget by investing in our essential workers.

Educating future generations of students is the greatest investment a government can make, and there is nothing more important than having qualified teachers in front of every classroom.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:

“I am so proud that today we are able to give teachers the pay rise they so urgently deserve.

“Just over five months ago, the Minns Labor Government was elected with a mandate to sit down and negotiate a new deal for our teachers, and that is exactly what we have achieved today.

“The Liberals and Nationals watched on as student outcomes declined and the state was in the grip of a teacher shortage crisis.

“The endorsement of this agreement marks and important step forward for teachers, as well as for students and families, as we work together to rebuild the state’s public education system.”

NSW birthing “blueprint” puts women at the heart of maternity care

A new expert advisory group will be established to improve the birthing experiences of mothers, their partners and families across NSW.

Minister for Health, Ryan Park, said the advisory group would put women at the centre of care and support the delivery of NSW Health’s strategic plan Connecting, Listening and Responding – A Blueprint for Action – Maternity Care in NSWlaunch so all women in NSW receive respectful, evidence-based maternity care which improves their experiences and outcomes.

“I’m committed to improving the birthing experience of women, their partners and families right across NSW and I care about getting their input into our maternity services,” Mr Park said.

“The stories coming out of the parliamentary inquiry into Birth Trauma are difficult to hear but it’s important we learn from the lived experience of these women and understand how we can do better.

“This new expert advisory group is the next step in the implementation of our strategic plan Blueprint for Action – Maternity Care in NSW and will ensure women are put at the centre of their own care.”

The Blueprint was developed following survey feedback from more than 18,000 women, families and clinicians sharing their experiences.

NSW Health also heard directly from around 1000 individuals and received 500 public submissions.

Among the key priorities that emerged from the extensive consultation were enhanced access to consistent information, developing a way to routinely capture feedback from women and how clinicians can better support women to make informed decisions about their maternity care.

Mr Park said having patients and their families at the heart of the Blueprint design process has been invaluable.

“This feedback has clearly told us what matters most to women,” Mr Park said.

“A woman’s birthing experience is one that stays with them for life, and I am committed to ensuring that all women no matter where they live, have maternity services which deliver safe, high-quality care and that understand the significance of their birthing experience.”

“The expert advisory group will include midwifery and obstetric leads from each local health district and importantly consumers to guide us on the implementation of NSW Health’s Connecting, Listening and Responding – A Blueprint for Action – Maternity Care in NSWlaunch.

“The group will be established in the coming weeks, with a view to having their first meeting in the next few months and will advise NSW Health on the implementation of the Blueprint,” Mr Park said.

The Blueprint is a strategic plan which sets out the vision of NSW Health and provides guidance to strengthen maternity care services to ensure they are collaborative, equitable and woman-centred, while addressing the challenges for maternity care in NSW.

Lights up for new and improved Bay Run

Sydney’s iconic Bay Run has been transformed, with new lighting, landscaping and widened pathways along parts of the 7km path.

The popular walking and cycling route follows the edge of Iron Cove, travelling through Rozelle, Lilyfield, Haberfield, Five Dock, Rodd Point, Russell Lea and Drummoyne and is used by an estimated 5000 people every day.

The upgrade has delivered improvements at the Lilyfield Road Bridge, including new seating and recreational areas on the bridge, an outdoor fitness hub and a ramp that connects to the path along Hawthorne Canal to the GreenWay path.

The upgrade has also separated pedestrians and bike riders on the path from the UTS Haberfield Rowing Club to Lilyfield Road Bridge, making it safer for everyone in the area.

The $5 million upgrade was delivered by Inner West Council with funding from Transport for NSW’s Get NSW Active program and the Department of Planning and Environment.

Transport Minister Jo Haylen said:

“The Bay Run is a local icon and a walking and cycling super highway.

“Thousands of people use the Bay Run every week to get out and enjoy the fresh air, exercise or commute. The new lights mean people can safely use this vital commuter link during late in the evening or early in the morning.

“The transformation of Lilyfield Road Bridge completely repurposes this old road link into the perfect spot to stop, relax and enjoy the beautiful views over the bay. It now features gym equipment, and widens the space available for people walking and cycling, eliminating one of the Bay Run’s few remaining pinch points.

“This project is one of many being delivered as part of the Get NSW Active program, which this year delivered another $40 million in funding for active transport projects across NSW.

“I’m excited to see even more communities across the state benefit from great projects like this one.”

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne said:

“The Bay Run is one of the most popular running, walking and cycling tracks in Sydney and our makeover of the foreshore in Leichhardt and Haberfield has made it more beautiful than ever.”

“The new modern lighting has made the path safer, particularly for women walking and running after dark and in the early morning.

“The new Lilyfield Road Bridge will now be a pleasant destination for picnics, gatherings and exercise.”

“These improvements are in addition to the new Leichhardt Skate we opened last month which has proven enormously popular among local children and young people already.”

“We fought hard for funding for the Greenway and it’s wonderful to see the full vision coming to life.”

TAHE restructure achieves $4.3bn net debt saving

The NSW Government will slash the State’s net debt by more than $4 billion by beginning the overhaul of the controversial Transport Asset Holding Entity of NSW (TAHE).

The decision will be one of the biggest debt reduction measures in the upcoming state Budget. It is the first move in ending a long-running saga that has embroiled the State’s finances for years.

Under the changes, the Government will convert TAHE into a non-commercial public non-financial corporation similar to Sydney Trains, NSW Trains and Venues NSW.

TAHE will no longer be a state-owned corporation (SOC). It will not have to make a profit from a public rail system that the government has subsidised for more than 100 years.

The new structure will see TAHE increase its focus on maximising the value of its transport assets, especially surplus land near railway stations that could be repurposed to help solve the State’s housing shortage.

The decision to begin the transition to the new operating model this year delivers on Labor’s election commitment to reform TAHE and eliminate billions of dollars of intra-government transactions, which were required under the previous operating model.

It was made after the Government received advice that a further $615 million in funding in 2023-24 was being sought by TAHE under contractual arrangements it has with the Public Rail Operators.

The changes will eliminate this funding requirement. It will also avoid the need for the general government sector to borrow more than $4 billion the former government intended for TAHE under the previous operating model.

Under the new model TAHE will continue to receive necessary funding to maintain a safe, reliable and sustainable network, without accounting trickery.

The Government anticipates the changes will have a budget result impact of negative $384 million over the budget and forward estimates, but interest savings alone on the debt avoided will offset this impact.

TAHE’s new operating model will be implemented in three phases:

Phase 1: August to December 2023 – The Government will commence transitioning TAHE to not-for-profit status by taking administrative actions under the State Owned Corporations Act.
Phase 2 – by December 2023 – The Government will introduce an initial wave of legislative changes to allow for the introduction of the new operating model.
Phase 3 – By June 2024 – The Government will introduce further legislative changes to remove TAHE’s status as a SOC. The corporation will be renamed.
During the transition, TAHE will partially use its cash balances on hand and operating cash flow to fund its projects and activities, reducing reliance on grant funding.

The introduction of the new TAHE model is likely to see the reversal of the $20 billion write-down that occurred when TAHE began operating, as the State’s rail assets are revalued to reflect the new operating model.

The government will work with the Auditor-General to minimise any delay to the 2022/2023 Total State-Sector Accounts that might result.

Under the previous government:

More than $5 billion in intra-government transactions were needed to prop up TAHE’s previous accounting treatment.
A former Auditor-General, writing in the Sydney Morning Herald, labelled TAHE a ‘vehicle of deception’, which hid the true cost of operating the railways from the state’s accounts.
The Legislative Council’s Public Accountability Committee found that the then NSW government failed to give proper consideration to safety, accountability and risk mitigations prior to creating TAHE.
Millions of dollars were spent on consulting firms including PWC, KPMG and the Boston Consulting Group propping up the TAHE budget trick.

Treasure Daniel Mookhey said:

“We’re slashing the State’s net debt by more than $4 billion by fixing TAHE.

“This Government prefers to spend the public’s money fixing the state’s essential services, not propping up a budget con that went terribly wrong.

“We’re determined to bring an end to this saga. The State’s reputation for budget honesty was tarnished unnecessarily by the previous government’s decision to use TAHE to hide the true cost of operating the railways from the State’s accounts.”