Tuesday's budget is set to be massively in the red, but one local crossbench MP is concerned the Berejiklian government won't borrow enough.
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Member for Barwon Roy Butler said this week's state government budget needs to be a big-spending stimulus budget to help rebuild the bush after years of drought, virus and bushfires.
In fact, the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP said his biggest worry is that government will try to get back into surplus too quickly.
"LNP governments love a surplus, they see it as a badge of honour," he said.
"They need to just let go of that at the moment. They need to forget about any chance of having a surplus for probably several budget cycles and just focus on getting money out the door into projects, into communities, to stop our economy statewide from tanking."
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New water infrastructure, basic health services like dialysis and chemotherapy beds and improved roads to spur tourism should all be on the agenda, he said.
He also said government should plan to build a drug rehabilitation service in every regional area in NSW. A Dubbo rehabilitation service is set to get funding on Tuesday.
But government should also look to reinvest in people in towns throughout regional and rural NSW, he said.
"Last year we were told that the budget was going to supercharge the city and turbocharge the bush. My analysis of the budget last year was that it was more like crumbs for the bush.
"The facts don't lie. The ultimate test of success for state government, in my mind, is bums on seats in regional NSW. If we keep losing population that means you are failing to provide the amenity, the public infrastructure and the employment that's needed to keep people in those towns."
In advance of what is expected to be the state's biggest ever deficit budget, NSW Treasurer Dominic Perrottet told media recently that "there's never been a better time to borrow".
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson identified winning planning money to start work on a $53 million new Gunnedah hospital as a priority for him.
Gunnedah councillor Murray O'Keefe said he hopes to see the Rangari road upgrade fully funded on Tuesday.
Andrew Messenger
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Politics, environment and energy journalist at the Northern Daily Leader. I also write about health, bushfires and occasionally music. I'm a Brisbane boy by way of Charleville and Hobart who now lives in in beautiful New England. Get me at andrew.messenger@austcommunitymedia.com.au
