This year’s state financial blueprint had all the makings of a pre-election cash splash – even before NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet uttered a word of his second budget speech on June 19.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
With less than a year before the state’s voters head to the polls in March, the Berejiklian government put itself on the front foot - digging deeply into the state’s purse to give a helping hand to those in need and to push ahead with its infrastructure agenda. Sweeteners are part of many budgets – you need to have some good to counter any hidden nasties. And, there were plenty of sweeteners this year.
However, the approach to the budget was different. Typically, in recent years, little was known in the lead-up to the Tuesday in June when the budget was delivered. Not this year, thanks to what seemed like daily announcements. This budget was like a colander – it had plenty of leaks. There were few surprises, but it showed the Berejiklian government won’t be leaving anything to chance at the next election.
NSW might be in good financial shape, having posted a $3.9 billion surplus in 2017-18 and forecasting surpluses averaging $1.6 billion a year for the next four years, but the need to keep voters on side is crucial. There was plenty of cost-of-living assistance handed out – including a new Creative Kids Rebate, giving families a $100 voucher for each of their school aged children to fund extra-curricular activities such as music, drama, visual and performing arts classes. There was also the optional baby bundle for parents of newborns, and cuts to parking fines. Many projects announced prior to the 2015 election continued to receive a cash injection – work has to be well under way by now so voters aren’t left with that broken promises feeling when they put pencil to paper at the ballot box.
The Berejiklian government’s investment in infrastructure, including a record spend of $87.2 billion over the next four years should be commended. Once again, western Sydney was identified as a region in its own right – and plenty of money went there. Cash was also splashed on major road upgrades and infrastructure projects across the state, but there’s no doubt some communities have been left feeling short-changed. There’s nothing sweet about this situation. Voters deserve to know the government’s stance on issues, including how the area in which they live is defined in the eyes of politicians in Macquarie Street. An election is looming.
Andrew Pearson
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
Andrew grew up in the western Riverina town of Hay and has strong ties to the region. He is a former DA journo who has a passion for breaking news and has covered everything from council and politics to crime and court.
