Political Agenda with Ray Williams
While the problems associated with the global downturn continue to present challenges to businesses and our economy, the ineptitude demonstrated by our State Government in failing to address the problems of New South Wales and providing some direction for the future is staggering.
For business people who have worked hard and succeeded in their particular area of expertise, it is a continual source of frustration and bewilderment that millions of dollars of taxpayers money can be so easily wasted on such a regular basis by the supposed leaders of our state. Contracts for major infrastructure projects that deliver half a rail line for double the price as was the case with the Epping to Chatswood rail line is one of many examples of government waste. While this project was finally delivered, albeit many years late and billions of dollars over budget, the same cannot be said for our integrated ticketing system. New South Wales was promised a ticketing system capable of being used across every mode of public transport. A company was sourced and a contract entered into: however, five years later and after $100 million of taxpayers money being spent, the contract was cancelled and we, the paying public, didn't receive as much as a ticket. The matter is now being settled in court with the risk of additional litigation due to breach of contract. This amount of waste is simply not sustainable or acceptable.
Waste of any kind in business cannot be tolerated and is quickly addressed, as it ultimately affects every aspect of a company and then ultimately the consumer. This does not mean that risks should not be taken. Risk in any business is essential, but is always preceded by careful analysis and calculation. The same careful analysis unfortunately is not applied to projects funded by the public purse which is wrong. As taxpayers we deserve to have the greatest amount of accountability and probity applied to government contracts to ensure our money is invested wisely and in the most appropriate manner. To accept anything less is an abrogation of a government's responsibility to its constituency. The New South Wales Opposition is committed to providing this scrutiny and accountability when in government. We need a government focused on the public interest - the wellbeing of families, businesses and communities - in every decision it makes about every taxpayer dollar it spends. A government must also be determined to embrace opportunity and encourage investment which ultimately enhances our economy.
A strong New South Wales economy is critical for everything people rely on government to provide. Our economic rebuilding program will be two-fold. Lower taxes and supporting growth, which includes a 15% payroll tax cut that supports the jobs of two-thirds of all workers in New South Wales. Secondly, a goal of halving the time to deliver major building projects, and industry action plans to promote tomorrow's jobs.
The key is also improving service delivery in areas of buses, trains, hospitals, and our children's education. Our priority is to renovate the infrastructure that makes a difference not only to the state's economic outlook, but also for people's lives and their families' futures. Our plans include building rail lines to Sydney's south-west and north-west, so people can get to jobs and schools from our fastest growing suburbs. Improving existing bus and train services will also be our priority, not Labor's $5.3 billion Rozelle Metro. We will fill gaps in our infrastructure that has cost New South Wales jobs through missed opportunities.
A government committed to growth wouldn't ignore the need for better infrastructure, and a responsible government would apply greater scrutiny for the expenditure of public funds.
Ray WilliamsGWP Magazine Issue #25, July-August 2009
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