That is independent Member for Murray Helen Dalton’s take on the NSW Budget released Tuesday this week.
Mrs Dalton said it is simply a re-hash of some big pre-budget announcements, and with little detail.
But she did acknowledge investment in “some critical areas”.
“The introduction of a $206 million Sustainable Farming Program is an acknowledgement of the key role farmers have in the long term health for the ag sector and the environment.
“The devil will be in the detail, but the voluntary program appears to support farmers who want to better manage bio-diversity on farm and will offer incentives that could include payment, lower interest rates through increased resilience to climate change and improve long term productivity.
“Other big winners in the budget include a $5 billion spend on childcare, $500 million for housing, $130 million for the SES and $400 million on indigenous housing, education, justice, youth and health.”
Mrs Dalton also said an increase to the Isolated Patients Travel and Accommodation and Assistance Scheme is a welcomed budget announcement, as someone who has been advocating for this since being elected.
This will support Murray constituents who have to travel out of town for medical treatment.
On water and irrigation investment, Mrs Dalton believes the government could have done more.
“The $330 million to accelerate Sustainable Diversion Limit Adjustment Mechanism projects is being pushed through to cover up the lack of water coming down the Darling River, while the $131.5 million to deliver water efficiency measures is a buyback by stealth.
“Farmers are losing out on water and are not being compensated as they have feed in perpetuity to Water New South Wales.
“It was also disappointing to note there was no mention of dams or weirs.
“People are yearning for long term planning for their future and appropriately placed dams should be part of that vision.”
Mrs Dalton said community infrastructure commitments are also lacking in the budget.
"Rural communities across Murray are crying out for investment, and yet major infrastructure spends are appearing in the budget year after year, but not a lot for our electorate.
“For example we have seen funding for the Moama Police station in the last two budgets and we are yet to see a shovel in the ground.
“This government has been great at announcing the same major infrastructure spends year after year; let’s hope we see some action this year.”
Mrs Dalton renewed her push to establish critical community facilities in the Murray such as a drug and alcohol centre in Griffith.
She will also continue to advocate for new ambulance stations at Darlington Point, Tocumwal and Moama, after NSW announced $600 million in funding for 30 new stations across the state, and only eight sites have been identified.