No new taxes under a Liberal and Nationals Government

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will guarantee that there will be no new taxes on households and small businesses in the next term of government.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this guarantee would provide certainty to businesses and family budgets.

“Families and businesses are already better off today and paying less tax than they were under the last Labor government,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Since 2011, our Liberal and Nationals Government has made 33 tax cuts, putting $10.5 billion back in the pockets of those who need it most.

“We’ve slashed payroll tax nine times saving thousands of businesses over $5 billion. We’ve also increased the taxable income threshold by $522,000 to $1.2 million, meaning small businesses are no longer burdened with any pay payroll tax and medium-sized businesses are saving $28,500 a year.

“Our landmark stamp duty reforms, which give first home buyers the choice of paying a small annual fee instead of a large upfront stamp duty payment, will save families $900 million over the next four years.

“We are making a commitment to families and businesses across the state that there will be no new taxes in the next term of government under the Liberal and Nationals, providing them with financial certainty as they manage their budgets.

“Only a Liberal and Nationals Government can commit to no new taxes thanks to our long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said only the Liberal and Nationals Government has the budget discipline and track record to grow the economy, create jobs and deliver vital services for NSW.

“Taxes will always be lower under a Liberal and Nationals Government,” Mr Kean said.

“Committing to no new taxes in our next term of government gives families and small businesses reassurance as they manage their budgets.  

“During their last term of government, NSW Labor introduced or increased taxes at least two dozen times. When Labor can’t manage their budget, they come after yours.”

List of Taxes Abolished or Decreased since 2011
Stamp duty: introduce First Home Buyer Choice for properties up to $1.5m giving first home buyers a choice between larger upfront stamp duty or lower annual payment
Land tax: extending principal place of residence exemption for building or renovating a home
Payroll Tax waiver of 50% in 2021-22 for businesses with Australian wages less than $10m
Stamp Duty waiver on Electric Vehicles sold for up to $78,000
Payroll Tax rate reduction from 5.45% to 4.85% in 2020-21 and 2021-22
Accelerate Payroll Tax threshold to $1 million from 1 July 2020
Payroll threshold increased from $1 million to $1.2 million
Payroll Tax waiver of 25% in 2019-20 for businesses with Australian wages less than $10m
Payroll Tax exemption for additional wages arising from JobKeeper
Transfer Duty reduction for one year for first home buyers purchasing new homes valued between $650,000 and $1 million
Freeze of indexation rates for heavy vehicles
Extension of the rebate for Primary Producer Heavy Vehicle registration
Emergency Drought Relief through one-year relief from Local Land Services annual rates and Farm Innovation Fund loan interest relief
Broadened Toll relief Program
Indexing Transfer Duty thresholds to CPI
Free registration on Primary Producer Heavy Vehicles
Emergency Drought Relief Package that includes free registration to agricultural vehicles, waiving local land services rates and waiving interest loans under the NSW Farm Innovation Fund
Introduced new $1 million Payroll Tax threshold
Caravan motor vehicle weight tax reduced by 40%
NSW Tolling Reward Plan: Introduced free motor vehicle registration for large toll consumers
Abolish insurance duty on commercial vehicle insurance for small businesses
Abolish Insurance Duty on professional indemnity insurance for small business
Abolish Insurance Duty on product and public liability insurance for small business
Abolish Insurance Duty on lenders mortgage insurance
Abolish Insurance Duty on crop and livestock insurance
Transfer duty exemption for first home buyers on new and existing homes valued up to $650,000, with discounts up to $800,000
Lowering NSW wagering tax rates to match Victoria’s
Abolition of stamp duty on business mortgages
Abolition of stamp duty on unlisted marketable securities
Abolition of transfer duty on non-real assets
Payroll tax threshold increase from $689,000 to $750,000
Raise the property value cap on first home buyer stamp duty concessions for new homes from $600,000 to $650,000
Payroll tax rebate for workers with a disability

Millions for Milton-Ulladulla health services

Patients in the Milton-Ulladulla region requiring a CT scan will no longer need to be transported outside the area, with Liberal candidate for South Coast Luke Sikora welcoming plans unveiled for a new medical imaging facility.

“This is great news for patients across the South Coast community who will not need to travel to get the CT scan they need,” Mr Sikora said.

“It is a considerable investment into the health of locals and means doctors will have state of the art equipment to make a diagnosis.

“Having Minister Hazzard here today to make this significant announcement shows the Perrottet Liberal Team’s commitment to healthcare on the South Coast.

“These investments are only possible from the NSW Government’s strong financial record and long term plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Mr Sikora also welcomed investment into the master planning for Milton Ulladulla Hospital.

“This funding is part of the continued investment in health services across South Coast so patients can feel comfortable that they receive the best possible care,” he said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said a purpose-built facility at Milton will house the new CT scanner as part of a $7.5 million investment to deliver new and expanded services.

“This commitment under a re-elected NSW Liberals and Nationals Government is about bringing the best health services closer to home for the community,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Having a new CT scanner on-site will not only save patients a trip to Nowra but importantly, it will help doctors make a fast, accurate and earlier diagnosis to begin treatment, which can result in improved patient outcomes.”

A CT scan is painless, state-of-the-art medical imaging that can identify a wide range of clinical problems and may eliminate the need for exploratory surgery and biopsies.

In addition to the new CT scanner and medical imaging facility, $1.5 million of the allocated funding will go towards upgrading the Community Cancer Services Centre.

Mr Hazzard said a further $500,000 of the total $7.5 million investment earmarked for the region, will also see master planning commence for the Milton Ulladulla Hospital.

“These three complementary health initiatives are a win for the local community which is growing in size and welcoming more holiday makers every year,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Undertaking master planning of the hospital site will ensure the Local Health District can identify health service requirements needed to support the community into the future.”

Member for South Coast Shelley Hancock welcomed the investment and said it is a hallmark of the Liberal and Nationals Government, future-proofing the health system.

“In our first decade in Government, we invested more than $18 billion on building and redeveloping hospitals and health facilities across NSW that Labor never touched.”

Voice to have all the power

The elites are well and truly in charge of the Voice agenda, with a recent declaration they plan to use the Voice to seize power. Many Aboriginals you chat with on the street would tell you their dreams are about a better future for their family and kids, not the elitist Voices of parliament.

Dividing Australia along racial lines has long been a goal of extremist elites who try to tell Australians how to run their lives.

Now the extremist elites have let slip how their vision of how the Voice will work.

They declared from their lofty positions on high, “The Indigenous voice “will have a lot of power” and will not passively wait to be consulted,”

“There is a misconception that it will have no power and it will have no influence. I mean we can debate that for ages but of course, it will have a lot of power. It will have a lot of power because it’s a constitutional voice that is mandated by the Australian people and that gives it a lot of power,

“It will make the representations. So it’s not a consultative body in that it is sitting there waiting passively for the Commonwealth to consult it or bureaucrats to consult it.”

These revelations should send a shudder down the spine of every decent Australian. The Voice will have power, will interfere in government and will be an activist body (code: home for extremists like Lidia Thorpe).

The words used by the elitists who are pursuing the Voice are the worst-case scenario for Australia.

These people have now placed on record their desire to usurp Australian democracy and that spells disaster for the way we live and everything we stand for.

Source: Professor Davis and Ms Anderson, co-chairs of the ‘Uluru Dialogue’ quoted in – The Australian 28/02/2023

PRIME MINISTER’S CYBER SECURITY ROUNDTABLE

Today the Prime Minister led a Cyber Security Roundtable, focused on the whole-of-nation effort required to protect Australians and our economy, with the aim of making Australia the most cyber secure nation by 2030.

We invited leaders from the public service and our intelligence agencies, and independent experts from business, industry and civil society, to share their expertise and experience.

We discussed ideas including incentivising best practice cyber behaviours, growing Australia’s cyber security sector and raising national cyber awareness, to shape a new strategy.  One that will give Australian businesses and families confidence, stability and security, in the face of rapidly evolving threats.

The Albanese Government also announced it will establish a Coordinator for Cyber Security, supported by a National Office for Cyber Security within the Department of Home Affairs, to ensure a centrally coordinated approach to deliver Government’s cyber security responsibilities.

Input from today’s roundtable will inform the development of Government’s 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.  That Strategy will be led by the Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil, the first Cabinet Minister to hold the portfolio of Cyber Security.

The Cyber Security Strategy Expert Advisory Board, appointed by Minister O’Neil, has released a public discussion paper seeking feedback on the development of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.

The Prime Minister and Minister O’Neil thank today’s leaders for their roundtable input, and encourage all Australians to share their views in the discussion for a safer cyber world.

The discussion paper can be found here.

Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP said:

“Strengthening Australia’s cyber security is a fundamental priority for our government because we recognise it is essential to the way every Australian lives and works and trades and learns and communicates.”

“This is a fast-moving, rapidly-evolving threat and for too many years, Australia has been off the pace. Our government is determined to change that. “

“I want to thank those who participated in the Roundtable for their innovative ideas, considered feedback and constructive approach to addressing the cyber security challenges facing our nation.”

“For businesses these days, cyber security is as important and essential as the shop having a lock on the door.  We need all Australian businesses to be able to protect themselves and – just as importantly – protect their customers.”

the Minister for Cyber Security, the Hon Clare O’Neil MP said:

“Getting our cyber security settings right will take time, and Australians should be prepared for more cyber incidents in the coming years. However, it is clear that Australians expect more from businesses holding their sensitive data, and Government has a central role to play to ensure everyone is pulling their weight.”

“As a nation, we cannot sleepwalk into our cyber future. I want Australia to be the world’s most cyber secure country by 2030. I believe that is possible, but it will take a concerted effort from industry and Government alike.”

“Industry needs to put cyber security at the heart of its business decisions and practices, and Government needs to walk the talk and work with industry as genuine partners to build a nationally consistent approach.”

“Today’s roundtable demonstrated the potential for a truly national approach. I want to thank those who attended the roundtable for their willingness to contribute to Australia’s cyber security, and for their constructive feedback on the direction of the 2023-2030 Australian Cyber Security Strategy.”

Building Back Better in Newcastle

Roads in Newcastle will be built back better after recent floods, with almost $8 million to be spent locally on upgrades.

Following last year’s devastating floods, $312.5 million was committed by the Albanese and NSW governments to help rebuild damaged roads and transport infrastructure for 26 disaster-declared councils in NSW, with 2 successful projects announced in the electorate of Newcastle:

Project NameProject DescriptionFunding amountAdministered by
Betterment of HW10 Pacific Highway Seg 80 to Seg 8010 and Seg 8110 New England Highway Hexham – Repair and upgrade transverse drainageDrainage improvements$4,000,000Transport for NSW
Betterment of Old Maitland Road Hexham – Road RenewalRenewal of Old Maitland Road Hexham including shoulder reconstruction on both sides.$3,957,265.00City of Newcastle

Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon MP welcomed the local funding and said better quality roads had been on locals’ wishlists for some time.

“These roads really copped it during the floods. It’s great to see the government listen, and provide money to fix them up and actually make them better,” she said.

“This funding provides the opportunity to look at roads that have been damaged in the past and see if raising them or using different materials will stop them from flooding, or at least reduce the impact.

“This will ensure communities are safer, while also reducing repair costs in the future.”

A total of 57 projects that will improve the resilience of roads, bridges and causeways have been successful under this package, which will greatly benefit local communities now and into the future.

Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt said under this program, roads and transport infrastructure will be rebuilt to a higher standard, making them more resilient to future disasters.

“We saw a lot of towns cut-off because of the floods, and that created concerns around accessibility, evacuation plans and supply chains,” Minister Watt said.

“Straight after the floods, the Commonwealth and NSW Governments activated disaster recovery funding to help councils with emergency repair work, to help regions get back on their feet. But we know that longer-term support to build back better is really important to make sure communities are better prepared for future natural disasters.”

Further information about the Regional Roads and Transport Recovery Package, including the full list of successful projects, is available here: https://nswroads.work/rrtrp

COAL AND GAS TO BLOW SAFEGUARD ACCORDING TO NEW CLIMATE ANALYTICS REPORT

Greens Leader Adam Bandt says a new report showing coal and gas emissions will overwhelm the government’s Safeguard Mechanism underlines the need for the government to stop opening new coal and gas mines.

The report released by Climate Analytics today found the government has substantially underestimated projected emissions from Australia’s existing and committed coal and LNG production, and that in 2030 these projects alone would exceed the total permitted emission limits of the government’s proposed Safeguard Mechanism. The report shows emissions from gas could in fact increase by 36% and from coal by up to 116% by 2030. 

Greens Leader Adam Bandt MP said:

“This report shows new coal and gas will break the Safeguard Mechanism. 

“The numbers are here in black and white.

“Labor needs to get real. You can’t tackle the climate crisis while opening up new coal and gas mines.”

Climate Analytics Report available HERE

Visit to Malaysia and India

This week I will travel to Malaysia and India to advance Australia’s bilateral relationships and promote Australia’s interests in a peaceful, stable, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.

My visit to Malaysia will reaffirm our shared priorities under our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

I look forward to holding introductory meetings with members of the new Malaysian Government, including the Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of Economy.

These meetings will focus on advancing our significant trade and economic links, cooperation on defence and regional security, and the close ties between our peoples.

Australia is committed to working with Malaysia to support ASEAN’s vital contribution to regional peace and security.

This will be my first visit to India as Foreign Minister, and I look forward to meeting my counterparts at the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi.

Australia strongly supports India’s G20 Presidency and welcomes India’s ambitious, action oriented G20 agenda, under the theme ‘One Earth, One Family, One Future’.

I look forward to working with my counterparts on how we can address contemporary international challenges, including strengthening the multilateral system, food and energy security, and humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

While in New Delhi, I will also attend the 2023 Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier forum for addressing the most challenging issues facing our regional and global community.

This year is an important milestone in Australia’s bilateral relationship with India, with many high-level Ministerial visits between our two countries.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell and Minister for Resources Madeleine King will travel to India over the next month, and later this year Australia looks forward to hosting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he attends the Quad Leaders’ meeting.

First home buyers to have choice for life

A re-elected NSW Liberal and Nationals Government will give first home buyers the opportunity to ditch stamp duty for the rest of their lives, saving them tens of thousands of dollars on each home purchase.

Under the plan, the Liberal and Nationals popular First Home Buyer Choice program will be expanded so that:

· Home owners who choose to pay a small annual fee on their first home instead of a large upfront stamp duty will be able to opt in to the annual fee on future property purchases, until they choose to pay stamp duty;

· Buyers who purchased a property after 11 November 2022 and received stamp duty exemptions or concessions under the First Home Buyer Assistance Scheme will also have the option to choose a small annual fee instead of stamp duty on future property purchases;

· The $1.5 million price threshold on eligible properties will increase by $50,000 each year starting from 2023-24, widening the range of properties that can be purchased.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said this was all about giving families more choice throughout their home ownership journey so they can live in the right home at the right time of their life.

“We know that stamp duty is a significant barrier to home ownership, particularly for young people and families trying to break into the market for the first time,” Mr Perrottet said.

“We’re making it easier for first home buyers, many of whom are families, to reach the dream of home ownership sooner as well as give them more choice into the future.

“This expansion gives families more choice when buying their next home, making it easier to upsize, move closer to loved ones, or relocate for a new job or when the kids start school.

“Backing first home buyers is only possible because of the Liberal and Nationals long-term economic plan to keep our state moving forward.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said first home buyers had already been flocking to the Liberal and Nationals’ scheme since it opened on January 16.

“Almost 1500 first home buyers have opted to ditch stamp duty for a small annual fee despite Labor’s desperate and dishonest scare campaign,” Mr Kean said.

“In fact, Chris Minns’ very own constituents have rejected his spin with Bayside LGA having the second highest uptake of First Home Buyer Choice to date.

“Under our policy, a family who buys their first home in Western Sydney for $1 million, sells it after five years and buys their second home for $1.5 million could save more than $90,000 over their first decade as home owners.

“Under Labor, that same family will have to pay more than $106,000 in stamp duty.

“Labor’s obsession with scrapping First Home Buyer Choice and forcing young people to pay stamp duty is a threat to thousands of families’ dreams of home ownership.”

Under the proposed expansion of the First Home Buyer Choice scheme, owners can only hold two properties at any given time. If they buy a third home, they will need to pay stamp duty on the purchase price.

Since the FHBC program opened, almost 1,500 buyers have opted in, saving a combined $56.2 million in stamp duty.

New Bondi Junction Service Centre hits the mark

More than 20,000 customers have already utilised the services at the new Bondi Junction Service Centre since it opened for business three months ago.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello joined Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton today to officially open the relocated Service Centre at 19-23 Hollywood Avenue, corner of Ebley Street.

“Customers in Sydney’s eastern suburbs are set to benefit for years to come from the opening of this new state of the art Service Centre right in the heart of Bondi Junction,” Mr Dominello said.

“Customers have enjoyed a seamless transfer of services to the new centre which is a larger facility with Service NSW’s trademark modern digital-first design, just 100 metres up the street from the previous centre.

“Whether it’s applying for a Seniors Card, renewing rego or accessing maritime services, customers have given the new centre a big thumbs up with a nearly 96 per cent satisfaction rating.”

“It’s a small step for customers, but a giant leap for customer experience.” 

Member for Vaucluse Gabrielle Upton welcomed the opening of the new state of the art Service Centre which will help to cater for growing demand for Service NSW programs and services in Sydney’s eastern suburbs.

“About 1800 transactions are completed each week at Bondi Junction Service Centre with driver licence renewals, Working with Children Check applications and renewals and driving tests among the most popular services,” Mrs Upton said.

“There are 120 driving test appointments available each week at the new location with four dedicated driver testing spots conveniently located on Ebley Street for when customers arrive for their test, while about 500  computer-based Driver Knowledge Tests are available weekly  at the new centre, double the amount from the previous centre location.

“I encourage residents to book an appointment with the centre’s Saving Specialist who can provide one-one-one tailored information on more than 70 government rebates and vouchers available through the Savings Finder program such as Toll Relief Rebate, Back to School NSW and Family Energy Rebate.”

The previous Bondi Junction Service Centre opened in March 2015. The new centre’s opening hours are 8.30am-5pm Monday to Friday and 8.30am-12.30pm on Saturdays.

A new Service Centre will also shortly open at Eastgardens, giving customers in Sydney’s east and south more options when they need to visit a Service NSW centre.

Since 2013, the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has opened 114 Service Centres across the state, transforming the way services are delivered and putting an end to the byzantine RTA Motor Registry service model. 

For more information, visit https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/service-centre/bondi-junction-service-centre

Five out of five – Illawarra REZ declared

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has declared the fifth Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) in the Illawarra to ensure the region plays a central role in the State’s clean energy future.

The move makes the Illawarra the final REZ to be declared of the five zones identified under the nation-leading NSW Electricity Infrastructure Roadmap.

Treasurer and Minister for Energy Matt Kean said the announcement is part of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government’s long term plan to modernise the electricity grid with renewable energy and storage, helping to drive down prices and keep the system reliable.

“The Illawarra has a proud history of manufacturing and the REZ will only build on this legacy, powering existing and emerging industries such as offshore wind, green hydrogen and green steel production,” Mr Kean said.

“The Illawarra is an ideal region to host a REZ, thanks to its existing energy, port and transport infrastructure, its highly skilled workforce and strong demand from existing industries to decarbonise.

“This is a huge win for the Illawarra with projects registering their interest showing a potential to create more than 8,300 jobs, not including the huge employment potential of offshore wind.”

The Illawarra REZ runs down the coastline from Wollongong to Shellharbour and around to Dapto capturing existing infrastructure such as Port Kembla, Dapto Substation and the Tallawarra Power Station.

There is strong commercial interest in the Illawarra region with the potential to unlock more than 17 gigawatts and more than $43 billion of private investment in wind, battery storage, pumped hydro, hydrogen and new load projects, including green steel manufacturing.

“These projects have the potential to deliver thousands of jobs in the Illawarra as the region moves to a clean energy future,” Mr Kean said.

“This is just another example of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government getting on with the job of transforming our State’s energy system, while the Labor Party develops its secret plan to nationalise the grid which will spook investment and push up power prices.

“Chris Minns has promised to provide no energy bill relief for seven years. The Liberals and Nationals will provide immediate relief of $250. Plus we are already delivering hundreds of millions in energy bill rebates.”

EnergyCo will begin the next phase of development, including continuing to engage closely with the local community, industry, councils and other stakeholders in 2023.