27 June 2016

Last week’s budget included continued funding for a new inner city high school and capital funds for the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust, which I understand will be largely spent to upgrade the Equestrian Centre, but there is a large drop in capital funding for the Royal Botanical Gardens and Domain Trust.

I welcome $2.7 billion for the Sydney Metro and $76 million over four years on cycleways (where these will be built is yet to be identified) but the roads focus remains with billions allocated to the WestConnex, NorthConnex and Pacific Highway duplication.

The housing focus is on planning for growth with affordable housing left to the market. While additional private rental subsidy funds are welcome, this is not a long term solution for the 60,000 families on waiting lists for social housing or those paying up to 85 per cent of their income in rent.

The trend to deal with crime through incarceration over early intervention and prevention continues with 7,000 additional new prison beds planned, though there is some funding for social cohesion programs to counter extremism and terrorism.