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My Five Top Priorities for Putting People First
Written by Barry O'Farrell MP   
Monday, 11 May 2009 13:36

The people of New South Wales know that Labor has failed them. They also know it’s time to put Labor’s failures behind us.

Through to the March 2011 state election, my Liberal / Nationals team and I will outline our positive, practical plans to put NSW back on track.

We start from a simple principle: for NSW families to have access to quality services and enjoy the best quality of life, our state government must do what it’s elected for - serve the people.

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NSW needs a government that puts people first again.

We need a government focused on the public interest – the wellbeing of families, businesses and communities - in every decision it makes about every taxpayer dollar it spends.

We need a government determined to make NSW a place where people can strive and thrive – a place of opportunity again.

Our team – including former teachers, police, nurses, accountants, small business operators, lawyers and farmers - has five key priorities for putting people first.

First, to rebuild a strong NSW economy.

A strong NSW economy is critical for everything people rely on government to provide.

Our economic rebuilding program is two-fold: lower taxes and support growth.

This includes: a 15% payroll tax cut that supports the jobs of two-thirds of all workers in NSW; a goal of halving the times to deliver major building projects, and; Industry Action Plans to promote tomorrow’s jobs, in areas such as environmental management and the creative industries.

Second, the Liberal / Nationals will return quality services people can rely on - such as our bus and train system, our hospitals, and our kids’ education.

The key is to restore “customer service” and again focus on the families using these services.

In transport, to provide a safe, clean and reliable service, we will create a single integrated transport agency. Overseen by an independent board, it will guarantee passengers a full-time focus from government on quality public transport services.

In health, to guarantee patient care is always the top priority, we will establish health districts and appoint boards to ensure those working in our hospitals and the local communities they serve – and not remote head offices – have the final say on how local services are best delivered.

In education, to better equip our children for the future, we are committed to lifting the number of children attending pre-schools and ending the shame of NSW having the worst participation rate in the nation.

Our third priority is to renovate the infrastructure that makes a difference not only to the state’s economic outlook, but for people’s lives and their families’ futures.

Our plans include building rail lines to Sydney’s south-west and north-west so people can get to jobs and schools from our fastest growing suburbs. Improving existing train services will be our priority, not Labor’s $5.3 billion Rozelle Metro.

We will fill gaps in our infrastructure that cost NSW jobs through missed opportunities. A government committed to growth wouldn’t ignore the need for better convention, exhibition and cruise passenger facilities to build on Sydney’s natural advantages in these areas.

Fourth, the Liberal / Nationals are determined to restore honesty to government. Our initiatives will include:

  • cleaning up politics by ending taxpayer-funded political advertising and imposing caps on both how much money can be spent by, and donated to political parties, and;
  • strengthening ICAC and protecting courageous citizens who blow the whistle on corruption and mismanagement.

Through the establishment of a public service commission, we will end Labor’s politicisation and restore integrity, independence and professionalism to the public service.

Finally, the NSW Liberal / Nationals will re-empower local communities, giving people a real say in the decisions that affect their lives.

To borrow a phrase, it’s time for all of us to say “yes we can” to a better NSW and a better future.

 
7 Votes

8 Comments

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  1. Good stuff -- lets hope you get the opportunity to put these ideas in place.
    James Watson.
  2. Sounds okay but more detail needed. It's got to be spelled out clearly not vaguely. Start introducing the 'team' and get them to spell out just what is going to happen in their portfolio area. There is too much emphasis on the leader and not enough on the team. The electorate needs to know these people and identify them. Go on the offensive and when you are attacked don't get defensive, ignore it and press forward with the positive. Choose a meaningful phrase and hammer it! It works for Bunnings (lower prices) the Fed. Labour party (working families/education revolution). Don't let them distract you from your messages.
  3. Yes it sounds good but we know Labor will say exactly the same thing "were in deep financial troubles but this is due to world depression" (not our negligence),
    our hospitals are not performing due to poor federal funding( not our negligence) and so it will go on with Labor "vision" ignoring the past and running on the same 5 points raised by Libs-- surely you need to really take these Labor guys to task and hold them accountable to the absolute mess they created.
  4. Good ideas however I stumbled across this site by accident. so it would be good to let people know it exists. People need to know what is going on. Also more details are needed eg how you are going to achieve this. You need to be in the face of the media. And introduce the Liberal team. It would be good to have people who are actually qualified for positions as opposed to just being a politician eg an economist in treasury, a doctor or nurse in health and teachers for education
  5. Thanks for your comment Paula. We at Liberal Campaign HQ are working very hard to get the word out about Start The Change by doing email-outs, posting videos, tweeting and getting others to spread the word. That's where people like you come in. We need our supporters to help spread the word and get people to visit and Sign Up to our email list (top corner). We will be sending another email out to our supporters this week, so make sure you're signed up so you can forward our email to your friends.
  6. We also need to remember a lot of elderly people who have concerns don't use the internet so I hope that radio stations are utilised to let them know that they aren't forgotton.
  7. Dear Mr O'Farrell,

    I was somewhat questioning in respect to the integrity of the following quote..."Finally, the NSW Liberal / Nationals will re-empower local communities, giving people a real say in the decisions that affect their lives".

    Great speach, but it apperas to be little more than political double-speak. Could it be explained just how this functions in regards to the NSW Liberals passing of the Stalinist legislation giving Local Government the right to compulsory acquire a persons home or business???

    Very Empowering....NOT

    Giving People a Real Say....NOT

    And you want us to believe both yourself and the NSW Liberals are any better than Mr Rees and NSW Labour.
  8. Dear Barry,
    This is all well and good but it is blather until it is accompanied by a plan to show how it will be implemented, who is responsible and how progress is to be quantified and measured. This is Labor's problem-they just blathered!
    DON"T fall into the same trap! We will never forgive you! This is your chance for destiny, but it won't be easy. You will need all the outside expert help you can muster. Learn how to use it and then use it wisely. Good luck.

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