RED LEATHER #88 - SPECIAL BUDGET EDITION

The first O'Farrell budget was delivered this week with much fanfare and general backslapping from the conservative side of politics. This edition of Red Leather aims to give you the view from the Labor Opposition.

On Tuesday our initial reaction was outlined in this media release. The biggest losers in this budget are:

• 70,000 pensioners will see their public housing rents increase by almost $10 per week –one third of their pension increase;
• Foster carers will have their allowances cut by more than $212 a fortnight when their child turns 16;
• New carers who adopt children and young people in out of home care will have their allowances reduced;
• There will be a $12 increase in electricity bills, on top of Barry O'Farrell's decision to increase electricity prices by 18 per cent on July 1;
• Water prices likely to increase as a result of privatisation of Sydney Desalination Plant;
• Parents will be forced to pay new fees for State-run pre-schools;
• First homebuyers will miss out on stamp duty concessions worth tens of thousands of dollars for young families; and
• Further budget cuts have been identified in key agencies including Family and Community Services and Education.

Today, John Robertson gave the address in reply.  

Kristina Keneally also wrote an interesting piece for ABC Unleashedwhich is also well worth a read.

The biggest cuts in the budget will be in the detail. The government believes that it can find $8billion in savings over the next four years. Time will reveal these cuts and the NSW community will suffer the consequences.

READ MORE >>>>