The Opposition has condemned the Minns Labor Government for giving tax breaks to a Sydney casino while slashing cost of living measures and funding for infrastructure and projects.
Shadow Treasurer Damien Tudehope said the Labor Government has ignored the pleas of families and businesses needing cost of living support, while arranging a sweetheart deal for the casino.
“The Minns Government has got its priorities completely wrong. It has simply chosen the gambling industry over families,” Mr Tudehope said.
“They’ve cut active kids, creative kids and first lap programs for families across the state, because of their fictional budget emergency – but can afford to give millions in tax breaks to a casino.”
The Shadow Treasurer said while the casino gets special treatment, NSW businesses were missing out.
“Treasurer Mookhey said that the casino will be allowed to pay “what they can afford”, but no other business in NSW gets the same offer of support.”
“Businesses and families are not the priority of this government and are being left behind by Labor.”
Mr Tudehope raised concerns that this is a pattern of behaviour within the Minns Labor Government of being in bed with the gambling lobby.
“This tax change is just another example of Minns Labor Government’s soft approach to the gaming industry.”
“While Minns has been on a go-slow with protecting NSW from money laundering, he’s been much faster with a tax reduction for the organisation fined hundreds of millions of dollars for this crime.”
“Finally, appointing United Workers Union to oversee agreement between the Government and the casino makes it clear that the Minns Labor Government only cares about looking after unions and gambling,” Mr Tudehope concluded.