COVID-19 and Economic Recovery Plan

Hansard ID: HANSARD-1323879322-119415

Hansard session: Fifty-Seventh Parliament, First Session (57-1)

COVID-19 and Economic Recovery Plan

Mr MARK COURE (Oatley) (14:44:47):

Via video link: My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer inform the House how the Perrottet-Toole Coalition Government's policies will help us recover and build the economy of the future?

Mr MATT KEAN (HornsbyTreasurer, and Minister for Energy and Environment) (14:45:05):

— I thank the member for Oatley, who is the best member that Oatley has ever seen. In fact, he is probably one of the best community champions the Parliament has ever seen. I know the member for Oatley can hear the future calling, unlike the Leader of the Opposition, who is hanging up on Jodi Mackay. Unlike those opposite, we have a plan to build a strong economic recovery and a better, more prosperous future for everyone in the State. We are doing that off the back of good policies that kept us safe and got us through the pandemic. No-one deserves more credit for that than the current Premier, whose JobSaver scheme saved over 100,000 jobs in New South Wales. That is the Premier's legacy: keeping us safe and getting us through to the other side.

But we need to build on that, and that is where our economic recovery plan comes in. We want to bounce back better after the pandemic and build a better and more prosperous future. That is exactly why the Government has recently announced things that will stimulate the economy. I note the member for Oxley and acknowledge her contribution in announcing a new package of 7,400 social housing dwellings that will be built. Millions of dollars are going to where it is most needed: helping the vulnerable, reducing our social housing waiting list and, at the same time, creating jobs and building our economy. It is exciting stuff.

It is about supporting our small businesses and standing behind them as they buy inventory so they can throw their doors open and start trading for Christmas and beyond. It is about supporting our small businesses by cutting payroll tax by 50 per cent and continuing that concession to get them back to business, get people back to work and grow our economy. It does not stop there. Today we announced a historic investment in domestic violence services. It is the biggest investment the State has seen to address the issue of domestic and family violence. It will almost double the number of women's refuges in New South Wales. That is exactly what governments should be doing: supporting everyone, making sure we leave no-one behind and, particularly, supporting the most vulnerable.

It is not just about what we are doing to build a stronger future and get us out of this pandemic; it is also about building for the future. The Government is building a record infrastructure pipeline, which is the envy of the country and is up there as the envy of the world. We are building the schools, roads and hospitals that will set the State up for a brighter, better future. We are tackling the issues of our time. We are tackling climate change in a way that will grow our economy, create jobs and drive investment into New South Wales. Our energy infrastructure road map will ensure that New South Wales families and businesses have access to the cheapest, cleanest and most reliable forms of energy. That will lead to the next industrial revolution. It will turbocharge our manufacturing sector and support energy‑intensive industries to give them a competitive advantage in a fast‑changing global economy. That is what Coalition governments do. The Liberals and The Nationals work together to build a more prosperous future for everyone.

Extension of time

It is not just our energy and infrastructure road map. We have recently announced a hydrogen strategy for the State to futureproof the regions and ensure that as old industries are diminished, new industries flourish and thrive. We take advantage of those opportunities. We want to support existing industries and workers, but we also want to prepare for new opportunities that are emerging in the Hunter and the Illawarra. We can grab those new opportunities with both hands, safeguarding those communities, future-proofing those jobs and setting us up for a brighter, cleaner and more prosperous future. That is what good government is about: safeguarding the people in difficult times. By having a strong financial position, we were able to implement JobSaver, safeguard jobs and protect our communities. We were able to build on that so that the State can bounce back better by investing stimulus dollars where most needed: supporting the vulnerable people, supporting small business, supporting the growth of our economy. But it is also about planning for the future. It is about building a better future. []

It is not just plans; they are backed in by concrete policies. It is a stark contrast to the policy-free zone on the opposite side of the House. In fact, we are at day 120 since the Leader of the Opposition announced that he would have a 100-day plan to build a better State, and we have seen nothing. We have heard the talk about his haircut, we have seen the cancellation of speeding fines, and that is it. The Leader of the Opposition had a plan to get the top job, but he had no plan once he got there.

While the Government has been planning for the future, the Leader of the Opposition is still focused on settling yesterday's scores. That is right: When Jodi McKay called the Leader of the Opposition to tell him that she was leaving Parliament, he hung up on her. The member for Strathfield is a former Leader of the Opposition, a fearless corruption fighter, a local champion and the overwhelming members' choice to be the leader of the Labor Party. How was she treated by the Leader of the Opposition? He slammed down the phone on her. The people of Strathfield know that if the Leader of the Opposition is prepared to slam down the phone on their elected representative, he is prepared to slam down the phone on them. Last week we saw the Leader of the Opposition rushing to congratulate the new Premier. He was falling over the lectern to congratulate and throw bouquets at the new Premier, just like he did with the previous Premier. Then a few days later, he was slamming down the phone on the former Leader of the Opposition. If that is how he is prepared to treat his colleagues, that is exactly how he is prepared to treat the public. No policies, no plans, no idea—it is the same old Labor.