NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet says the Coalition will not privatise any more government assets.Credit:Edwina Pickles
Perrottet said investing in infrastructure projects,which create jobs and stimulate the economy,was a major part of the government’s plan to bring the budget back into surplus. To pay for it,he said the state would need to go deeper into the red before coming back into surplus.
“Our debt position in NSW is sustainable,manageable and affordable,” Perrottet said,adding that 60 per cent of the state’s current $116 billion infrastructure pipeline was financed through debt.
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The state’s overall debt position is expected to reach $187 billion by 2026. Shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey warned that signing the state up to borrow even more while interest rates surged was dangerous.
“Mr Perrottet is plunging this state further into debt to pay for the stuff-ups,the bungles and the blowouts when he decided to buy our ferries and our trains from overseas,” he said.
“The premier is trying to win this election by promising money that taxpayers do not have as he tries to buy four more years in power.”