Struggling families are crying out for cost-of-living support but did not get any in the latest NSW budget, according to the state’s opposition leader.
Mark Speakman labelled Labor’s budget “a shameless attempt to window dress” support measures, while declaring the coalition would restart a host of relief efforts should it win back government.
Treasurer Daniel Mookhey pointed to a $189 million bulk-billing support initiative for GPs and continuing road toll relief as the government’s main cost-of-living measures in Tuesday's budget speech.
But Mr Speakman said neither put new money into the pockets of everyday people and the government had little to offer families because it had lost control of its budget.
"Not a cent for new cost-of-living support - and a shameless attempt to window dress, as some sort of new cost-of-living measure, a welcome decision not to collect payroll tax from doctors in circumstances when it’s never been collected before,” he said on Thursday.
“Families and households right across NSW will pay the price, as they're already done under this government."
In a budget reply speech largely devoid of new commitments, Mr Speakman said he would reintroduce a string of subsidies in place under the former coalition government.
They included active and creative kids vouchers, swimming lesson and back-to-school vouchers, the regional seniors travel card and energy bill relief.
Getting children off their screens and into parks and playgrounds was key for stronger health outcomes, he said.
“In 2022, the last full year before Labor took the axe to Active Kids and stopped publishing the data, over 1.3 million vouchers were created,” Mr Speakman said.
“We would, and if the government was serious about children's mental health, they would, immediately restore active and creative kids and support families into encouraging healthier and active lifestyles.”
Mr Speakman repeated his criticism of the government’s proposed 10.5 per cent pay rise over three years for public sector workers given the “baseline” offer was well below many key unions’ asking prices.
Those demands, including up to 25 per cent over our years for police, could cost the budget billions more but were unfunded - which he described as "a massive liability our state simply can’t afford".
The budget forecast a string of deficits, including a $3.6 billion shortfall in the coming financial year, and rising interest bills to pay for growing state debt.
Premier Chris Minns said the opposition should provide a figure they believed would be a suitable pay deal if they did not agree with the government's offer.
"Is it (a) two per cent (wage rise) ... is it nothing?” he said.
“If you're going to make a public argument for 12 months saying, 'yes, we think debt is too high and the people that should pay for it are those that work in our public services', you should explain to 400,000 families what your plans are if you do win government in 2027."
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