16 News

Shadow Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Scott Farlow, has called on the Minns Labor Government to work with the community on planning and housing matters.

“So far we’ve seen the Labor Government tell communities to ‘get out of the way’, and a reluctance to stand up to Canberra, meaning vital infrastructure projects necessary for growing communities are under threat from Labor cuts,” Mr Farlow said.

“New South Wales needs to build more homes, but we need to ensure we bring communities with us on this journey, providing the necessary health, education and transport infrastructure while preserving public space and local amenity.”

“Minister Jackson said she is ‘very motivated to just push through’ with medium and high-density developments, which shows Labor aren’t prepared to hear the views and concerns of residents in communities right across NSW.”

“Labor’s plans to drop more development into Sydney, without addressing congestion, green space and other infrastructure needs, while ignoring genuine concerns and abandoning community consultation, is just wrong.”

Mr Farlow stressed the importance of infrastructure planning, service delivery and maintaining and enhancing public spaces as priorities in any new push to address housing supply.

“The Premier has ordered his ministers to urgently find vacant blocks of public land to rezone for housing. Given comment from his Housing Minister, telling communities to ‘get out of the way’, the government needs to be upfront with what land they’re targeting, and have a plan to address legitimate community concerns such as access to transport and services,” Mr Farlow said.

“It’s hard to plan for a growing city when you have a government hell bent on cancelling vital infrastructure projects, like the Sydney Metro.”

As households across NSW struggle under higher energy prices and increased cost of living pressures, Shadow Minister for Energy and Climate Change James Griffin says it’s clear that Labor don’t understand the issues impacting communities.

“In Parliament this week, I asked Labor two very simple questions, on behalf of families, seniors and households across our state,” Mr Griffin said:

1) “Federal budget papers confirm that the average household’s energy bill will increase by $380 next financial year. The New South Wales Coalition proposed $250 energy bill relief for every household in New South Wales. How many New South Wales households will be hit by this price increase because of your Government’s decision to limit energy bill relief?”

2) “Following up from your inability to answer the question yesterday. What will be the average increase in electricity bills in the next financial year, for families who will not be eligible for the limited bill relief provided by NSW and Federal Labor Governments, given they will not receive the $250 off energy bills for all families announced by the NSW Coalition?”

“Labor couldn’t answer either question, taking the first question on notice, and not knowing that the average household’s energy bill will increase by $380.”

“If Labor can’t tell us how many households will be hit by the rise in power bills, how can anyone expect them to reduce the cost of living for the residents of NSW?”

Before the election Labor admitted it would take seven years for their energy policies to lower power bills. In contrast the Coalition committed to providing $250 energy relief for every household in the state.

“Households and businesses can’t wait seven years. People rightly expect their government to be taking action now. This is yet another demonstration that Labor don’t understand the cost of living pressures across our community, that they aren’t across the detail, and that they’re not up to scratch,” Mr Griffin concluded.

To support the work of the shadow cabinet, NSW Liberal Leader Mark Speakman and NSW Nationals Leader Dugald Saunders today announced shadow assistant ministers (sitting outside the shadow cabinet).

“The people of NSW expect us as an opposition to be constructive, to represent their interests and to hold the government to account. Today’s announcement builds on the shadow ministerial team and strengthens our commitment to the areas of policy vital to the success of our state,” Mr Speakman said.

“We are committed to fighting for the needs and concerns of the people of NSW, and our shadow assistant ministers will play an important role in engaging with communities across our state, hearing concerns and ideas, and developing practical solutions that benefit households and businesses.”

Mr Saunders said that the Labor Government has already dropped the ball by failing to detail its policies or explain how it will pay for anything.

“From addressing increasing cost of living pressures, to ensuring investment in infrastructure in our cities and regions, this government is already out of puff and ideas.”

“We will spend every day focused on the needs of people across this state, and our experience and record of delivery will put us in good stead to present a strong alternative government at the 2027 election,” Mr Saunders concluded.

Opposition Leader Mark Speakman and Shadow Sport Minister Eleni Petinos today launched a campaign to Save Active Kids, inviting people to visit www.saveactivekids.com.au to show their support.

Active Kids has been a very popular and successful measure implemented by the Coalition Government, giving kids, who may have otherwise missed out, an opportunity to participate in sport and helping with their physical and mental health. This great program is now under threat due to Labor cuts.

“The Labor Government needs to come clean. It needs to tell kids and parents why it’s looking to cancel vouchers and increase cost-of-living pressures on them at the worst possible time,” Mr Speakman said.

“At the 2019 election NSW Labor was upfront about its plans to cancel Active Kids, but it said nothing at this election,” said Mr Speakman. “If it was planning to scrap the program, it should have been honest with NSW families.

“We want to see this program continue for NSW families, helping to take the pressure of family budgets and helping our kids get active.”

At the start of this year more than 4.85 million vouchers had been redeemed, saving families $481 million.

Shadow Sport Minister Eleni Petinos said that the program not only helps to reduce the pressure on household budgets, but also encourages healthy and active lifestyles for our children.

“The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that 70% of children fail to meet physical activity guidelines. This can lead to poorer academic outcomes and increased childhood obesity rates,” Ms Petinos said.

“Chris Minns must come clean and tell us if he’s cutting these important vouchers. The Coalition will fight every day for families, sporting clubs and small businesses to ensure that these and other important cost-of-living relief aren’t cut at a time when families can least afford it.”