Sydney’s arts and cultural institutions are driving the resurgence of visitors to our global city and I welcome free admission to the Australian Museum and funding for the Powerhouse Museum heritage revitalisation, National Art School precinct renewal and QTOPIA – our first queer museum – in Labor’s first budget as state government. Funding for active and public transport through metro projects and cycleways will also help reinvigorate the city.

Homelessness, especially older women’s homelessness is on the rise and the urgent funding to services at the frontline and emergency accommodation will help to save and improve lives. I will work with the government to push for stronger investment in specialist homelessness services and homelessness prevention ahead of the next budget.
There is additional funding for the energy transition and to create the Great Koala National Park, but we will need a stronger focus on environmental sustainability that recognises the dire climate change and biodiversity loss predictions.