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Sky News AU
9 hours ago
- Business
- Sky News AU
The winners and losers of NSW Budget 2025
Foster carers and children are among the winners in this year's NSW state budget, as the government allocates historic funding to the child protection system. The state has reported a $3.4 billion budget deficit in the 2025-26 financial year, down from a $10.7 billion deficit inherited in 2023-24. Treasurer Daniel Mookhey says the government is on track to record a $1.1 billion budget surplus by 2027-28. Here are the winners and losers. WINNERS Children and Foster Carers A $1.2 billion Child Protection Package has been unveiled to support more than 17,000 children in the foster care system. The package includes: $797.6 million to support children and young people in out-of-home care. $143.9 million in increased Foster Care Allowance from January 1. $49.2 million for 44 government owned residential care homes. $10 million to support the Office of the Children's Guardian. $191.5 million for 200 new caseworkers and retain 2,126 caseworkers. Treasurer Mookhey says it is the largest investment in child protection in NSW history. Developers and Homebuyers The government will introduce a $1 billion Pre-Sale Finance Guarantee to accelerate the delivery of residential developments. The five year plan will remove financial barriers for developers and will be invested in residential development project packages for medium to high density houses. Treasurer Mookhey says the "nation leading" reform would put more supply in the system, in the hope of getting more people into homes and driving down costs. Emergency Services The Budget will be delivering $4.2 billion for disaster relief and emergency services. It will include: $42.2 million for 52 staff at a new 24-hour Badgerys Creek Fire Station. $34.4 million for Rural Fire Service. $17 million to renew Fire and Rescue fire-fighting fleet. $50 million to upgrade police ICT systems. $46.3 million for a new offshore patrol vessel. $87.7 million to strengthen Cyber Security NSW. $154.5 million to help communities recover from Cyclone Alfred. Western Sydney The state government will continue its infrastructure push in Western Sydney, with funding allocated to boost transport and health. Aerotropolis The state government is investing $835 million in infrastructure around the new Western Sydney airport and the Aerotropolis. The state and federal government will jointly commit $1 billion to upgrade the first stage of Fifteenth Avenue. Hospitals A further $700 million will be invested for the Bankstown Hospital (bringing total investment to $2 billion). $492 million for a new Pathology Hub at Westmead. $836.4 million for health services and hospital expansions. Public sector workers More than 90,000 public sector workers are set to receive pay increases which will cost the government more than $2 billion. This includes corrections officers, transport workers, school assistants and other essential workers. Public school and TAFE teachers will also benefit from a multi-year pay increase and increased job security, with over 3,000 casual staff to be offered permanent roles. Renewable Energy $2.1 billion injected into the state's five Renewable Energy Zones. Justice system A $49.4 million will be invested for a new hub to support victim-survivors of family and domestic violence and $34.5 million will be spent to upgrade major courts in NSW, facilitating 15 new courtrooms for victims and their families. $100 million will be spent on increasing the capacity of the prison system and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions will receive $48.3 million in funding. Creative Industries The arts and tourism sector will receive a $586 million funding to support culture and night-time entertainment. The $586 million package includes: $280.6 million for Screen NSW. $100 million in funding to locate a new screen production space. $135 million for Destination NSW marketing and tourism initiatives. LOSERS Drivers The government has not yet committed to extending the $60 a week toll cap, which is due to expire in January 2026. The toll relief scheme has so far saved motorists $139 million in claims since January 2024. The state has set aside $15.4 million to spearhead toll reform, which hopes to deliver relief in the long run. Average Households There are no new major cost-of-living measures for average households in this budget. However, the National Energy Bill Relief Fund will be extended, offering $150 in energy bill relief to households and eligible small businesses from July to December 2025. Tax Dodgers The state government has extended funding for Revenue NSW's tax integrity program to crack down on tax dodgers. The program will continue beyond the 2025-26 financial year. Public sector workers A pay deal has been reached for some public workers including doctors, nurses and psychiatrists. Golfers The NSW government plans to reclaim part of Moore Park Golf Course to create a 20-hectare public park. $50 million will be spent on transforming part of Moore Park South into a public area, which will include facilities for public sport and recreational use.
Perth Now
14 hours ago
- Business
- Perth Now
Making state care safe: $1.2b to overhaul foster system
After years of being treated like a "dog being moved from cage to cage", some of Australia's most vulnerable children will have an easier path to safe and loving homes with major boosts to foster care. A landmark $1.2 billion package unveiled in the NSW budget on Tuesday will substantially boost the number of foster carers, and retain those already carrying the heavy load of providing a home for 14,000 children and young people. For the first time in 20 years, the foster carer allowance will be increased, jumping 20 per cent through a $143.9 million funding injection. "Those with love to give a child needing foster care, should have the financial means to do so," NSW Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said in his budget speech to parliament on Tuesday. "Budget 2025 makes that more possible. "NSW can invest more so kids under state care, get safe care." The increase in the tax-free allowance will put an additional $176 per fortnight in the pocket of the carer of a typical 14-year-old. Carers of a five-year-old child will meanwhile see a rise from $656 to $787 per fortnight. Almost $800 million has been set aside for the out-of-home care system, including investment for reforms to ensure all children and young people can thrive in supportive and stable environments. Several scathing reports have documented how young people and children were shuffled around motels and hotels, with one child telling the Advocate for Children and Young People the constant transitions made them feel like a "dog being moved from cage to cage." Some 44 new fit-for-purpose homes will be built, at a cost of $49.2 million, to provide stable accommodation for children with complex needs aged 12 and above. Mr Mookhey lambasted the previous coalition government for relying on the "failed" Permanency Support Program that had more than 100 children a night in emergency accommodation "without the oversight or accountability needed to keep children safe". Taxpayer funds will no longer be spent on that outsourced care, with the ad-hoc practice scrapped in April. With the savings made, a further $191.5 million will be reinvested to get 300 caseworkers in addition to the more than 2000-strong workforce who are also being adequately compensated with higher pay. The Office of the Children's Guardian will be given $10 million to continue overseeing the safety of children.
