Today the Fiscal Star report, ‘2009 NSW Local Government Financial Sustainability Review’ into ‘How sustainable are the existing financial and infrastructure policies of NSW Councils?’ was released.

Cost-shifting from the Rees Labor Government onto local councils is partly to blame for the dire financial situation many find themselves in, Shadow Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Chris Hartcher said today.

‘They need to be amended and that is what the government is set to do’ 

Ian Macdonald on price hikes after draft IPART submission, AAP, 12/03/2009

The proposed price increases are substantial and have the potential to significantly impact on households, especially low income households.’

IPART Media Release, Thursday March 12

‘Electricity was cut off from 18,162 households in NSW in 2007-08’ 

IPART figures March 2009

Last Friday the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) released its final determination of water, sewerage and stormwater charges to apply from July 1 this year till 30 June, 2013 for Gosford City and Wyong Shire Councils.[1]

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Chris Hartcher, today said the Rees Labor Government’s incompetent submission to Infrastructure Australia meant Central Coast residents will be punished as funding for the F3 to M2 link was left out of last night’s Federal Budget.

“I have strong views on how we restore public confidence in our administration and part of it is to front up, and you will be getting that from me.”

Nathan Rees maiden news conference as Premier, 5 September 2008

Premier Nathan Rees has ducked for cover today after refusing media requests for interviews, refusing to hold a news conference and in a major break from Parliamentary convention didn’t take the first question from his own side, Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher said.

Shadow Minister for the Central Coast, Chris Hartcher, today demanded Nathan Rees give student disability funding back to Central Coast schools.

The demand follows a recent Freedom of Information request by the NSW Liberal/Nationals (attached), which revealed the Rees Labor Government had slashed disabilities funding for students by taking back almost $12 million in unspent funds from schools under the Funding Support (Students with Disabilities) program.

The Minister for Police has been forced to admit that despite barely ever being used, Terrigal Police Station is still costing taxpayers almost $30,000 (in the last 12 months) in basic cleaning and maintenance, Member for Terrigal Chris Hartcher said today.

Minister for Disability Services, Paul Lynch, has proven himself hopelessly out of touch after using valuable Parliamentary time to attack defenceless opponents instead of answering important correspondence from constituents, Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher said today.

Nathan Rees and his Labor Ministers have turned NSW Parliamentary question time into nothing more than a pathetic cheer squad for the federal Rudd Government, Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher said today.

The Rees Labor Government has been challenged to reveal exactly where the $4,344,340 collected from Central Coast speed cameras over the past 3 years has been spent, Shadow Minister for the Central Coast Chris Hartcher said today.

Freedom Of Information documents obtained by the State Opposition show Nathan Rees is spending tens of thousands of taxpayer’s dollars on printing and lighting for community Cabinet meetings at a time when families are struggling to hold down jobs and make ends meet, Shadow Special Minister of State Chris Hartcher said today.