NSW budget: $1bn hospitals upgrade centrepiece for health funding
EXCLUSIVE: The NSW Government is expected to announce more than $1 billion in upgrades to three hospitals as well as billions more to build schools in next week’s budget.
NSW
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A WHOPPING $632 million will be committed to the upgrade of Campbelltown Hospital as Premier Gladys Berejiklian plots a school and hospital building bonanza in next Tuesday’s state budget.
As the government turns the spending switch from roads and rail to health and education, it is expected to announce more than $1 billion in upgrades to Campbelltown, Nepean and Concord hospitals as well as billions more to build the schools of the future.
The upgrade for Campbelltown Hospital was on The Daily Telegraph’s Project Sydney wishlist.
It more than doubles a 2015 election commitment of $300 million and will involve an upgrade of the emergency department, paediatric services to address a “baby boom” in the southwest as well as critical care and ambulatory care.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said next Tuesday’s budget will be “social infrastructure” — health and education infrastructure — and says he expects the property boom will continue and allow the government to build the services NSW needs. There is speculation Mr Perrottet could unveil a record surplus of as much as $5 billion next Tuesday.
However, the Treasurer would only say: “People can speculate but we’ll wait until Tuesday.”
But, he added: “We make sure that the surpluses we have are invested in the infrastructure going forward ... the surplus doesn’t sit there in a bank account, it is used to invest in infrastructure.
“As the premier has said, we have a strong focus in this budget on social infrastructure.
“There’s no doubt we will continue to build the significant transport and road infrastructure that connects our state, connects our communities ... $3.3 billion for West Connex alone in one year.
“In addition to that, we know, as a growing state, the issues of healthcare and education are front and centre of mind heading into this budget.
“There’ll be significant investment in health and education infrastructure in this budget.”
The government has previously announced a $500 million upgrade of Tweed Hospital and $550 million for an upgrade of Nepean Hospital.
The Saturday Telegraph understands hundreds of millions will also be allocated to Concord Hospital.
Much of the infrastructure spending comes from the multi-billion dollar sales of the electricity “poles and wires”.
The Treasurer also foreshadowed more money for TAFE and apprenticeships, after cutbacks to TAFE in previous years.
PERROTTET HOMES IN ON SUPERHUMAN JOB
DOMINIC Perrottet has a touch of Clark Kent about him but he will need to work like Superman to juggle his roles as a father of four, husband to high-flying lawyer Helen and his day job — fixing Sydney’s housing affordability crisis.
At just 34, Mr Perrottet is the youngest treasurer in NSW history — if you discount 29-year-old Marshall Burdekin, who held the job for a month in 1886.
Such youth may be a disadvantage for many politicians but it puts Mr Perrottet in touch with the people his government has prioritised — first-homebuyers.
At more than a few backyard barbies his mates have bailed him up, demanding he do something about Sydney’s house prices.
And he’s acted. First-timers are being given stamp duty concessions on existing homes and the tax on mortgage insurance is being axed.
As the third-eldest of 11 brothers and sisters, the former Young Liberals president grew up knowing the value of hard work. He regularly debated politics with his parents and army of siblings at the dinner table.
“For most kids, each new school term brought with it a new season,” Mr Perrottet said in his 2011 maiden speech to Parliament.
“For me — it meant a new job rotation. I changed 1200 nappies in winter and then changed them again in spring.”
STATE’S EXTRA $47M TO PRIME PRESCHOOL PLACES
WORKING parents will benefit from as many as 700 new preschool places in areas of high demand, with the NSW government set to increase its budget spend on early childhood education by $47 million.
Tuesday’s Budget will also include $200,000 for early childhood teaching scholarships to boost services in the bush and $30 million in continued funding to assist children with disabilities.
Early Childhood Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said she would also add a further $217 million injection into the Start Strong program, which would allow further funding for childcare centres in a bid to keep fees down for parents.
“For families right across the state, whether you live in regional areas or in the city, having access to affordable early childcare is really important,” she said.
Ms Mitchell told The Saturday Telegraph that a $10 million capital works program would drive the creation of 700 new preschool places.
“The thing is, 700 places doesn’t just equate to 700 children,” she said.
“It’s usually exponentially more than that, depending on the service and the days that the children attend.”
Those places may also include mobile services, with operators able to receive money for vehicle upgrades to support their business.
Ms Mitchell said the government was recognising and acting upon the importance of providing early childhood services.
“It’s fantastic.
“This is my first Budget as Minister for Early Childhood and, particularly as a mum of a three-year-old and another one on the way, I’m really proud of that,” she said.
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