Rev Nile Gives Budget Estimates Report on behalf of GPSC 1

Thursday 10th April 2008

The Rev Fred Nile, Chairman of General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1, gave a Committee report relating to the Budget Estimates for 2007-08 in State Parliament last night.

“As Chair of General Purpose Standing Committee No. 1 I am pleased to speak to the take-note debate on the committee's report relating to the Budget Estimates for 2007-08. The committee examined the expenditure of a number of very important portfolios. Included among those who appeared before the committee was the Premier, and Minister for Citizenship. The committee also questioned the President, the Hon. Peter Primrose, about the expenditure of The Legislature. He was accompanied by the Clerk, Lynn Lovelock, the Financial Controller, Greg McGill and the Manager, Security Services, Mr Morgan Andrews.

The committee also questioned Minister Barbara Perry and senior departmental officers about the expenditure of Juvenile Justice and Western Sydney. On Friday 26 October, the committee heard evidence relating to the expenditure of the portfolio areas of Treasury, Infrastructure and the Hunter, in relation to which the Hon. Michael Costa gave evidence. The Treasurer was, as always, an interesting personality. Finally, the committee examined expenditure on the portfolios of Roads and Commerce. In that regard the Hon. Eric Roozendaal appeared before the committee, accompanied by the chief executive officer of the Roads and Traffic Authority, Mr Les Weilinga, who also gave the committee valuable information”, Rev Fred Nile said.

“During the examination of the portfolios of the Premier and Citizenship questions were asked relating to the economy of New South Wales, the reduction of local crime, the Government's investment in infrastructure, measures to improve the health system and the supply of adequate water in the State. Questions were asked also about the Owen inquiry, which dealt with the privatisation of the electricity industry, and the views of the Premier on the Federal citizenship test, which was introduced just prior to the budget hearing. Matters relating to casino licences and poker machines were raised when clarification of the Government's policy in that regard was sought. The role, effectiveness and future of the Independent Commission Against Corruption was also raised during that hearing. Other questions related to the restructure of New South Wales Health and front-line health services, particularly with regard to problems in the provision of emergency medicine. World Youth Day was canvassed also through questioning of the Premier about the Government's responsibility, and the State's contribution towards any costs, for that event.

Among the matters canvassed by the committee with the President were the human resources policy relating to members' staff, the Parliament House security upgrade and, more controversially, the cutback in catering services for members, to ascertain any future plans in that regard. The committee received guidance from the President about the proposed family friendly sitting hours. One matter of concern to the committee was the restructure of staffing arrangements at Parliament House and whether voluntary redundancies would ensure justice for all employees, particularly those who had given very long and faithful service to the Parliament.

With regard to Juvenile Justice, the committee obtained helpful information from Minister Perry about the Cobham Juvenile Justice Centre, the relocation of the Tweed Office to the Police Community Youth Club, the restructure of the Department of Juvenile Justice, drug detection measures in those centres and the plans for the education and training of detainees in regard to numeracy and literacy levels. The committee raised issues about the number of Aboriginal or Torres Islanders detained in juvenile justice centres and how the centres respond to those issues.

The Treasurer was asked questions about infrastructure investment, borrowing and debt levels and revenue from gambling. The fact that a large percentage of the Government's revenue comes from gambling activity was highlighted. Efforts were made to ascertain from the Treasurer whether there are plans to sell the electricity industry. He was questioned also about the credit ratings of public trading enterprises, the State-based emissions trading scheme and future national trading scheme, whether the State Plan will reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2025, and the use of clean coal technology. Reference was made to the Snowy Hydro Scheme and any plans to meet the extensive capital investment requirements to upgrade its equipment.

Minister Roozendaal was asked about expenditure on our roads, about the controversy surrounding the widening of The Spit Bridge, the impact on roads of the Port Botany expansion, the safety and pollution of road tunnels, such as the M5-East, and any proposed action to make the tunnels safer for not only the drivers of motor vehicles but also for motor bike riders, who, unlike motorists, cannot escape the pollution levels by winding up a window. The pollution in the M5-East tunnel is highly visible; I have experienced it a number of times.

Questions were asked also about plans to address the ever-present congestion along Parramatta Road by extending the M4 to the city. The committee heard some positive suggestions to resolve the congestion. The Minister fielded questions about the Cross City Tunnel and its future operation. He said that signs of financial stress, caused by the lack of patronage, proved to be correct and led to the collapse of the company operating the tunnel. The committee received some positive responses to questions about the Victoria Road upgrade.