Our budget deficit has increased to $11.4 billion. It could have been a $5 billion surplus. I plan to restore Responsible Economic Management to the State of NSW.
Over the last decade that the Coalition has been in power, I have watched on as our budget deficit has increased - and the LNP government has missed out on many opportunities that could have made us a wealthy renewable superpower.
Coal prices have soared, we had a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the NSW government to negotiate a fair price for the owners of the minerals, the people of NSW, on the super profit royalties available. But - they didn’t.
Queensland, on the other hand, managed by Treasurer Cameron Dick, had the political fortitude to negotiate a fair price for the coal in Queensland, and they introduced coal super profit royalties at the beginning of this FY. Queensland’s budget position in 2023 within the General Government Sector is a record surplus of $5.18 billion vs NSW’s loss of $11.4 billion
I will work with the banks to create win win win situations for banks, landlords and tenants - so people are not left behind.
Stopping clubs and pubs from profiteering off problematic gambling is one way we can support our economy and social services to function well - by preventing damage before it hits - and keeping money in the economy rather than causing damage for clubs’ profits.
Poker Machines’ Big Cost
Every $1000 lost to poker machines creates a negative impact of $7000 on our social services.
The sale of Northern Beaches Hospital to Brookfield, a Cayman Island entity that has no Directors in Australia and pays no tax to Australia has to be one of the biggest financial mistakes of all time, overseen by the NSW Liberal National Party. Using $1.2 Billion of public funds to create a hospital that was bought and then leased back to NSW for $1 a year for 20 years. And the car park for $1 a year (optional) for 40 years.
Privatisation & Tax Havens Cost Us
“We need a return to responsible economic management - where the people of NSW get a fair price and fair return for their assets and investments..”
We paid $8 billion federally for 3 intense weather related events in 2022 (2 in NSW).
Many Australians are frustrated and angry that the government remains so tied to its commitment to fossil fuels, and to approving new coal and gas projects that science tells us are directly linked to the future environmental and economic health of our State.
Furthermore, five of Australia’s top Coal companies - Peabody, Yancoal Sumitomo, Citic and Whitehaven - racked up $54 billion between them in total income over the past 5 years and paid zero income tax in Australia. The system is broken.
Who Pays for Climate Disasters?
Collaroy seawall and Lismore floods
Dragging the chain on moving to the renewable energy economy has cost us in higher energy bills and higher transport costs for our food.
With better infrastructure planning and more targeted investment, we could have been at 50% renewable energy with lower energy costs to consumers. I will fight to implement incentives on solar and electrification so that everyday people are not paying unsustainable energy prices that hurt their quality of life.
Our energy and food bills could be much cheaper
“We have been missing the political will to deliver on cost savings on energy bills, food prices and housing affordability. Independents can push whomever forms government for quality reform. ”