With 2019 now upon us, most people will look to fulfil some kind of new year’s resolution. These are usually things that are done for betterment, whether it be to exercise more, save some money, or give up that vice that has become a habit over many years.
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For myself and the other members of the NSW Government, our resolution is to continue providing our constituents with prosperity and the best services possible.
As we enter an election year it is a strange time in politics, and that can’t be ignored. We have seen in recent times, all across the globe, a rise in people looking for change. But the more things change, the more they stay the same.
The fact remains that the best way for any electorate to get the things they need and want is to have a seat at the table of government.
Electing an independent or someone from a minor party makes it hard to attract the money we have seen come our way – and that is the case regardless of which major party holds power.
Prior to 2011, we had 12 years of firsthand experience of what we don’t get with independent representation, and subsequently eight years of how much we get with a seat at the table
Since I was elected as part of a Coalition government, the Dubbo electorate has seen record funding and our region is prospering as a result.
Our state is in a very healthy financial position due to the work of Premier Gladys Berejiklian and treasurer Dominic Perrottet, and the good times are set to continue. With the NSW election set for March 23, the people of NSW have a decision to make.
They can reward good government that has overturned 16 years of poor Labor management in the space of just eight years and returned the Budget to surplus.
Or, they can look for change and a return to the dark old days of Labor, who promised so much in a decade-and-a-half of government but failed to deliver.
Locally, we need to think back to the days when Dubbo Hospital was borrowing bandages from local vet clinics or now, when the government is spending millions on a redevelopment to the facility, as well as a redevelopment at Mudgee Hospital as well.
Labor’s entire policy platform thus far revolves around “schools and hospitals” and scaremongering over the Sydney stadiums, but they forget the government is currently spending big in these areas.
They also forget that it’s best to work on the stadiums while we are in a good financial position rather than in 10 years’ time when the money may not be there and the need is dire.
I’ve mentioned two of the major projects in our region, which shows we are working hard to provide the best possible health facilities. And when it comes to education, our current plans are record-breaking.
In the 2019 school year, we are delivering $1.18 billion to schools as needs-based funding which can be used for whatever the school community needs to meet the standards of its students.
We are undertaking a record $6 billion school building program over the next four years, which will deliver more than 170 new and upgraded schools to support communities throughout NSW.
This is the largest investment into public school infrastructure by any State government in Australian history.
A record $847 million is also being invested over four years towards school maintenance – this is the largest investment in the history of NSW, and we are adding a record $500 million to deliver new sustainable air-conditioning systems in classrooms and libraries.
These figures and projects are a sign that we care about schools and hospitals, despite what Labor or anyone else says. We have some big announcements coming up in the next few weeks before we enter caretaker mode, and I look forward to delivering more for the electorate prior to the election.
Until next week, Troy