Whether in transport, health, disability, homelessness, regional development or any other area of State Government responsibility, improved outcomes can only be delivered from a strong bottom line.
Many of us remember when NSW was, unarguably, number 1 in Australia - we were the 'Premier State', the financial capital, the leader in ideas and innovation.
We were proud to say we were from New South Wales.
Over 15 years our reputation and performance has suffered as other states and nations became smarter and more competitive - and the NSW Government remained complacent.
It's taken a toll on our reputation, our quality of life and our opportunities.
Since June 1995, while our competitor states have posted economic growth rates as high as 90 per cent in Queensland, 80 per cent in Western Australia and 65 per cent in Victoria, NSW dragged along the bottom at 46 per cent.[1]
If NSW growth had kept pace with Victoria over the last 14 years, our economy would be $50 billion larger - the equivalent of BHP Billiton's annual turnover.[2]
But more importantly, it would have delivered an additional annual $2.4 billion in state revenues[3] - money that could have been put to use improving services and infrastructure, cutting taxes, or encouraging investment and jobs.[1] Australian Bureau of Statistics, (2009), “Australian National Accounts – State Accounts 2008-09”, Cat. no. 5220.0, ABS, Canberra.
[2] Ibid.
[3] NSW Government, (2009), “Budget Statement 2009-10”, Budget Paper No. 2, NSW, p. 3-22.
Policies for a strong economy
The NSW Liberals & Nationals Jobs Action Plan to Target 100,000 New Jobs for NSW
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will deliver Industry Action Plans for key and high growth industries
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will pay NSW Government bills within 30 days
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will waive fixed water charges during the drought
The NSW Liberals & Nationals will accelerate land release, for more affordable housing
Comments
•Is our general health improving – no it isn’t (obesity, mental health, asthma, etc)
•Are we leaving our countryside in a healthy state – no we certainly are not (Murray Darling, deforestation, species loss, salinity, river degradation
•Are we on a path to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions – most certainly not (still planning for more coal fired power stations)
•Are we as a community becoming more stable and enjoying our lifestyle – no (drugs, teenage binge drinking, mental health)
•Are our cities becoming more liveable - absolutely not (frustrating traffic jams, long commuting times, woefully inadequate public transport, high housing prices)
•Are we planning for stability – nothing like it (chaotic infrastructure proposals, no population policy, no public confidence in our political system)
There are the real indicators of a thriving society – the old markers of credit rating, unemployment, debt ratio, and the like are just some of the tools to achieving the real indicators.
Please abandon the old values and point NSW in a new and vibrant direction - we will support you>
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