Kellie Sloane
Leader of the Opposition
NSW Liberal Leader
Gurmesh Singh
NSW Nationals Leader
Scott Farlow
Shadow Treasurer
Monica Tudehope
Shadow Minister for Finance
The NSW Liberals and Nationals have today slammed the Minns Labor Government's Budget, saying it confirms that NSW is going backwards and Labor has no plan to grow the economy, support families or back business and jobs.
Labor’s fourth Budget reveals:
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NSW is entering a per capita recession, with economic growth forecast at 1% while population increase is forecast to be 1.1%.
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Labor will never deliver a budget surplus; despite promising a surplus by 2024-25 before the last election Labor has not delivered a budget surplus during its term.
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Taxes are up by 31% since Labor came to power, with every NSW family paying $3,500 more in state taxes per year, and stamp duty and payroll tax takes at record highs.
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No new major infrastructure projects and a shrinking pipeline, with funding down every year.
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No measures to address housing supply at a time when Labor is 40 per cent behind its National Housing Accord targets.
Leader of the Opposition Kellie Sloane said after more than three years in office, Labor has failed to provide the vision and leadership needed to help NSW reach its potential.
"This Budget confirms what families and businesses already know - Labor has no plan to help people get ahead and no plan to grow our state’s economy," Ms Sloane said.
"Families are working harder than ever but too many are going backwards, meanwhile businesses are facing rising costs and a government that is taking more off them in payroll tax.”
"New South Wales should be leading the nation, but under Labor we have the weakest economic growth in Australia, declining business confidence and cost of living support that is too little, too late.”
“When Labor came to office we were leading the nation on economic growth, now we’re coming last.”
"This Budget should have been about restoring confidence and setting a clear direction for our state’s future. Instead, it confirms Labor has run out of ideas for NSW."
Leader of the Nationals Gurmesh Singh said regional communities were also being left behind by Labor’s latest Budget.
"Regional New South Wales has always been a key driver of our state's success, but too often communities are being asked to do more while receiving less," Mr Singh said.
"Whether it is infrastructure delays, housing shortages, energy policy or essential services, regional communities deserve their fair share and deserve to be heard, but under Labor they are simply ignored.”
"The NSW Liberals and Nationals believe every part of our state should have the opportunity to grow and prosper, regardless of your postcode."
Shadow Treasurer Scott Farlow said Labor’s Budget showed that Labor is not up to the job of running our state’s economy.
“The Budget reveals that under Labor, our state is headed for a per capita recession, as our population growth will outpace our economic growth. This means that despite their hard work families and businesses will fall further behind,” Mr Farlow said.
“Despite promising a return to surplus before the election, Labor has not delivered a surplus and its fanciful projections mean it never will.”
Shadow Minister for Finance Monica Tudehope said Labor's answer is always the same, more taxes, more charges and more pressure on household budgets.
“Under Labor, taxes have increased by 31%, leaving families and businesses worse off with only more bad news to come as our economy slows.”
Ms Sloane said she would outline the NSW Liberals and Nationals ambitious plan for a stronger NSW this Thursday.
“The NSW Liberals and Nationals plan will be one that helps families get ahead and stay ahead, and backs small and family businesses to invest, grow and create jobs,” Ms Sloane said.
“Unlike Labor, our plan is one to grow our state’s economy, build the homes, roads, rail, schools and hospitals our growing communities need, and restores the ambition that once made NSW the leading state in the nation.”
"The people of New South Wales deserve a government with a vision for the future and with the NSW Liberals and Nationals that’s what they’ll get."