A Lifetime of Promises

In the lead up to the state election, Steph Nash timelines the political dramas and controversies of the two major parties. 

Making an informed decision during any political election is key to upholding the foundations of democracy. Sometimes, the persistent campaigning of political candidates makes it hard to keep track of what’s really been happening in parliament. Over the last four years, the state government and opposition have given us a variety of memories – from former Premier, Barry O’Farrell’s entanglement with Sydney Water, to the parachute promotion of Shadow Environment Minister, Luke Foley, to leader of the Labor Party.

To help reboot your memory, Sydney Observer has put together a timeline of key election promises from both the left and right
of politics.

NSW Liberal/National Party

[list style=”circle”][list_item]April 6, 2014: Commercialisation of Royal Botanic Gardens [/list_item]
+ More tourism and money in the economy
– Native flora and fauna threatened by development

[list_item]July 1, 2014: Electricity market de-regulated[/list_item]
+ Chance of  lower electricity rates from increased market competition
– Thousands of jobs lost in public sector; could always mean we’d pay more for electricity

[list_item]September 10, 2014: $1 billion Fit for the Future package announced[/list_item]
+ Create sustainable councils who will lead their communities
– If councils are already losing $1 million per day, is this a good investment?

[list_item]September 26, 2014: Royal North Shore divestment announced[/list_item]
+ More money in the economy
– Rising urban growth will probably lead to bigger hospital capacity problems

[list_item]November 20, 2014: $664 million injection of funds into Goski reforms[/list_item]
+ Better resources state-wide
– Controversial reforms; expensive long-term commitment

[list_item]January 6, 2015: $50 million infrastructure boost for regional tourism[/list_item]
+ Good for residents and tourists; more money in the economy
– Failures in the past are hard to forget (Newcastle rail, anyone?)

[list_item]January 8, 2015: Plans for introducing a container deposit scheme[/list_item]
+ Environmentally friendly
– Very costly

[list_item]January 18, 2015: Littering fines to be issued from public reports [/list_item]
+ Crack down on littering
– How can you police this?

[list_item]January 18, 2015: Alcohol interlocks for recurring drink drivers[/list_item]
+ Better protection on our roads
– Expensive project

[list_item]January 20, 2015: $1.8 million mental health training programme for personality disorders[/list_item]
+ Might improve big mental health problem in Australia
– Risk that services will not be used (many struggle to accept illness)

NSW Labor Party

[list_item]September 29, 2014: Sydney Harbour to become Sydney Marine Park[/list_item]
+ Conservation of depleting marine life
– Could have large effects on trades that operate on the harbour

[list_item]October 17, 2014: $14 million renewable energy hub for Hunter region[/list_item]
+ Yay, renewable energy!
– Expensive; controversial subject matter

[list_item]November 3, 2014: Marine conservation policy[/list_item]
+ Will help save our depleting marine life
– Expensive commitment

[list_item]January 12, 2015: $300 million upgrade to
St George hospital[/list_item]
+ Better health care; better resources
– More costs for rate payers

[list_item]January 13, 2015: Making NSW the racing capital of Australia[/list_item]
+ More jobs
– Controversy over the welfare of race horses

[list_item]January 19, 2015: Great Koala National Park built on the North Coast[/list_item]
+ Would save the endangered koalas
– More money for tax payers

[list_item]January 20, 2015: Newsagency protection laws as primary distribution agents for NSW Lotteries[/list_item]
+ Saves newsagencies from bankruptcy
– Less competitive market for lotteries