Conventional political wisdom suggests that it’s very easy to be in opposition or in a minor party because you don’t have to deliver anything.
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It’s a pattern which plays out in federal, state and even local government elections.
After each poll, the government has the unenviable task for determining which services are funded, which tax loopholes are closed (or created) and of course, the regular business of running the country or state.
Experienced politicians and pragmatists know that you can’t deliver everything at once, and you can’t even often deliver everything in one month, year or even term.
The people sitting on the treasury benches, which is the Liberal-National Parties at state and federal level, have to at least appear as though they’re governing for all of us.
Meanwhile, minor parties and the opposition can make a racket about services which aren’t delivered.
It’s easy to say things should be better – without identifying how it will be paid for or whether services will be cut as a result.
What’s awkward for the NSW government is the revelation that only 18.5 per cent of the Restart NSW fund has been spent in regional areas.
That figure comes from a report by the NSW Auditor-General.
Before the privatisation of the poles and wires, the government said 30 per cent of the money should been spent in regional areas, like Mudgee and the Central West.
Now the government might argue that there is more money to come, and no doubt that’s right.
There is, after all, money from the Snowy Hydro’s takeover by the Commonwealth, at least some of which you’d hope will come our way.
Deputy Premier John Barilaro took Labor’s idea and promised funds from the sale of the state's share of the hydroelectric scheme to the federal government will be entirely spent on regional NSW.
He listed five priority areas for spending, including water security, eliminating mobile black spots statewide and faster road and rail options.
The sale of poles and wires was supposed to bring funds flooding to the bush, as is the Snowy Hyrdo legacy fund.
No doubt people will be taking a closer look at the where the money for Sydney’s stadiums is coming from now that the Auditor-General’s report has been published.
