NSW Budget 2018: Plenty of cash to splash but will it buy Gladys’ government a new term?
THERE’S plenty to go around but families battling congestion, crippling bills and low wage growth will still rightly be cynical as they always are with any government cash splash, writes State Political Editor Anna Caldwell.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THIS is a budget that tries to be all things to all people.
It’s akin to a choose-your-own adventure map to pick a path to a prize based on where you’re at in life.
Got kids at school? Here’s $100 bucks to spend on art and drama classes. Golden oldie? We’ll slash caravan rego and help with electricity bills. New mum? Here’s a $150 hamper of nappies and nappy rash cream.
It all smacks of a government hungry to get voters onside in the run up to an election.
But voters have short memories and with a full nine months to voting day this may not be enough to dramatically move the lever on pain being felt by voters crammed across Sydney battling congestion, crippling bills and low wage growth.
You’d be right to think there’s much more in the arsenal we’ll see before March.
This government has long battled the perception that it’s all about infrastructure over people - and it was precisely this assumption that made the attack over stadiums spend so stinging.
Today’s budget moves to correct that narrative, doling out gifts across the board.
NSW BUDGET 2018: TREASURER HANDS DOWN A ‘PEOPLE’S BUDGET’
QUICK GUIDE: WHAT THE 2018 ‘PEOPLE’S BUDGET’ MEANS FOR YOU
But families will still rightly be cynical as they always are with any government cash splash.
There’s a perennial expectation for the government of the day to plan for the future and not waste money on the now.
Treasurer Perrottet’s announcement today - a rare surprise kept hidden for budget day - of a sovereign wealth fund seeded with a cool $3 billion helps on that front.
But it’s worth noting that one of the fund’s promised dividends - money for community groups doled out on public vote - runs the risk of becoming a multi-million dollar pork barrel of wasted money.
Let’s not forget how public voting panned out with the Ferry McFerryface disaster.
The government will need to guard heartily against rorts in this program.
Of course though this community money pool will come complete plenty of photo ops for the local members and in an election year that’s what it’s all about.
Whether that’s enough to keep all their jobs next March remains to be seen.