Greens budget response: kids, climate and households lose out

Dr Kaye said: "The Treasurer's third budget is a statement of his disdain for teachers, public transport, and climate change.

"He has clearly won the cabinet battles to keep expenditure on services down.

"It is little wonder his pre-budget leaks focused on infrastructure when there is so little in today's announcements for community services and education," Dr Kaye said.

Climate change funding cut by sceptic Treasurer

Dr Kaye said: "Michael Costa's contempt for the environment shines through in this budget.

"Treasurer Costa has slashed funding for the Climate Change policy and programs budget line by a massive 9% after inflation.

"The Climate Change fund itself is losing about 4% in real terms.

"Eleven out of the thirteen Catchment Management Authorities have had their funding cut.

"The government continues to spend more on roads than rail in an era of peak oil and climate change.

"He fooled no one when he lumped natural resources and environment into one headline figure in the Budget speech, claiming a 53% increase since 2005.

"Much of the natural resources spending will be in water buy-back programs.

"While more water for the rivers and lakes is desperately needed, the Budget ignores climate change and other essential environmental spending priorities," Dr Kaye said.

Power privatisation will create a massive hole in the budget

Dr Kaye said "Treasurer Costa's own forward estimates show sustained budget income from the state's electricity industry, totalling more than $1 billion a year through to 2011-12.

"Privatising the retailers and the generators will rob the state of a healthy income which will not be replaced by the proposed Community Infrastructure Fund.

"The sell-off will be bad for the budget bottom line and inevitably drive up taxes and reduce front line services," Dr Kaye said.

No new recurrent money for education

Dr Kaye said: "Treasurer Costa has clearly won the battle with Education Minister John Della Bosca. The Iemma government is set to impoverish the classrooms of NSW.

"Recurrent expenditure will only increase by 4.7% which is barely ahead of inflation.

"Maintenance funding is at a standstill in real terms, leaving a massive $86 million backlog of run down classrooms. Leaking roofs, peeling paint and broken toilets will be left for another year.

"While new money for major capital works is welcome, TAFE infrastructure expenditure is down 5.4% in real terms. This is no way to address the skills shortage," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455