In stark contrast to the Federal Budget, the NSW Budget was much nicer, kinder and understanding. There was some “Yay! Vote for us” subtly inserted, but that was to be expected – this is the last budget before the 2015 State Election.
NSW still has a AAA Credit Rating, and it’s economy is growing faster than both Queensland and Victoria’s. The NSW Government feel that they have done the repairs and restored NSW’s economy, while living with the means and being ‘fiscally responsible’. NSW had a $1 billion surplus, and while it will get a deficit in the next financial year, there will be a surplus in the financial year after that.
So, what are they funding?
Housing
- Increase in first home buyers’ grant
- $60 million for infrastructure
- ONLY for Australian citizens and permanent residents
Health
- New nurses and frontline staff
- money for Capital Works at Westmead Hospital
- Emergency Department Upgrades and other Capital Works at other hospitals
- Public/Private agreement for the new hospital on the Northern Beaches
- redevelopments of ICUs and NICUs
- Mental Health funding
Transport
- Lots of people using the Opal Cards (250,000 commuters)
- Opal rollouts on buses and light rail in next 18 months
- Wynyard Station upgrade
- funding for West Connex and other Western Sydney roads
- Pacific Highway upgrades in regional areas
- Parramatta Light Rail
Education
- $612 million extra
- Early childhood education
- New apprenticeships and creation of quotas for number of apprenticeships
Environment
- Money for Parks and Conservation trusts
- Money for councils to do flood protection
- More money for Rural Fire Service, especially training
Community Services
- Money for DOCs – IT implementation to free up case workers to see more kids in need
- Move some kids into NGO-run foster care instead of state care
- No word on employment of new case workers
- NDIS rollout – “Ready Together” program to prepare for delivery
- Money for accommodation in disability homes
- NSW will fill pension gap that Federal Government leaves for one year – hope to get the Federal Government to leave pensions the way they are
There was also talk about what could be funded if they are voted back in and they sell the pole and wires, such as the extension to the Northwest Rail Link through St Leonards/Crows Nest and the CBD. They’ve said that the sale will help with the bills, clean up efficiencies and unlock investment potential. It sounded a bit like an election promise – which it probably was, given the State Election is less than a year away.
The biggest issue for the State Government right now is the Federal Government’s budget, especially the cuts to pensions, health and education. They seem optimistic about negotiating with the Federal Government to get some of their money back – so we will have to see what happens.
Kara L 