Treasurer Matt Kean could miss parliament voting on major stamp duty reform

Treasurer Matt Kean has been critcised by his own party for skipping out on one of the last sitting weeks of this parliament for an overseas trip labelled as a ‘bad look’ and an ‘own goal’.

Treasurer Matt Kean will miss a crucial week of parliament, flying overseas from Tuesday to meet with ratings agencies and attend an international Climate Conference — despite facing major issues that need to be resolved at home.

Parliament could vote on stamp duty reforms for first home buyers as early as next week, and the government is under pressure to find more money to compensate taxi licence holders.

Premier Dominic Perrottet will act for and on behalf of Mr Kean from Tuesday November 1 until Saturday November 12.

That means Mr Kean will likely be overseas while parliament votes on reforms to allow first home buyers to pay an annual land tax instead of stamp duty. Mr Kean also needs to find a compromise on taxi driver compensation following a backbench revolt.

Parliament must vote on the package this month if drivers are to have any hope of getting extra compensation before next year‘s election.

Treasurer Matt Kean and Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee make a West Invest announcement. Picture: Gaye Gerard

There will only be three sitting days left in this term of parliament when Mr Kean returns from his overseas trip.

An extra three “reserve” sitting days are on the calendar for the second last week of November if the government needs more time to pass bills.

Multiple Liberals on Monday expressed frustration that Mr Kean would miss one of the last three sitting weeks of this Parliamentary term. They told The Daily Telegraph the trip was a “bad look” and an “own goal”.

Mr Kean said he will be chairing a “policy forum” at the United Nations Climate Conference to address the global energy crisis.

“After meeting with the ratings agencies, financial institutions and government representatives in the UK, I’ll be travelling to COP27 along with Chris Bowen and other state ministers where I’ll chair a policy forum made up of all Australian jurisdictions and smaller nations to work together to address the global energy crisis,” Mr Kean said.

“The premier will be acting treasurer and the opposition has approved a pair.”

Premier Dominic Perrottet will act on Mr Kean’s behalf while the Treasurer is away. Picture: NCA Newswire

But Labor’s Treasury spokesman Daniel Mookhey accused Mr Kean of avoiding debate on complex policy issues during the last fortnight of parliament.

“This is the last two sitting weeks before the election, with serious and complex policy issues to debate such as taxis compensation and the Port of Newcastle,” Mr Mookhey said.

“It also happens to be the week this government wants to put a forever tax on the family home through Parliament, and the NSW treasurer isn’t even in the state for the vote.”

“NSW is the only state to not hand down a mid-year budget review yet he’s found the time to go to London,” he said.