Little Money, More Foresight

Media Release

20 March 2007

Governments don't need to spend billions, or even millions, of dollars to get results that give communities real benefits.  Politicians in election mode gush forth with promises of huge expenditures and major projects, but don't think about the real differences some careful expenditure could make.  Try these:

• Fund PCYC so it can remain open to youth during high crime times, like Friday and Saturday nights.
• Ensure under 18 year olds have access to proper health care.
• Reduce the cost of workers compensation insurance for Maitland's aged and community care services.
• Provide after-hours social work services for the entire Lower Hunter.  Emergencies do not only occur during business hours, and often these emergencies involve children who are at risk of harm.  This would significantly reduce the strain on the health system: nursing and medical staff are in fact the loudest voice calling for additional social work services because their role is hindered by having to try to handle issues other than the medical emergency.
• Waive State land tax on residential properties suitable for lease as long term non-profit housing.
• Encourage the introduction of industry wide standards in areas such as packaging, energy efficiency of appliances, heating units and eco-labels.  This has the potential to reduce costs without adversely affecting individual producers and at the same time acknowledges that the economy and the environment can no longer be viewed separately.
• Introduce specialist tribunals to deal with domestic violence, compulsory anger management programs for domestic violence perpetrators and specialist tribunals to deal with drug and alcohol related crimes (as recommended by our DPP, Nicholas Cowdery, who doesn't have a barrow to push!).
• Push for cooperation and agreement between all tiers of government to eliminate duplication of funding and resources.

Careful planning and careful targeting of government spending would be much more productive than empty promises once every four years.