Die-hard Labor supports were eager to hear the Opposition’s plan for the state, as the party’s campaign for the 2023 state election officially launched on Sunday.
To the cheers of a packed out crowd, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese dished out jabs at the “Noalition” government, while Chris Minns wooed voters with a $12,000 HECS cut for students studying in health fields.
The Prime Minister sang the NSW Opposition Leader’s praises, while lashing the scandals endured by Premier Dominic Perrottet’s government. Mr Albanese was quick to dredge up withholding bushfire recovery grants to Labor-held electorates after the Black Saturday fires by then-Deputy Premier John Barilaro’s office, and a recent slew of scandalous resignations from the likes of Finance Minister Damien Tudehope and Peter Poulos.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese called the current NSW government a ‘Noaliton’. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
SW Labor leader Chris Minns (middle), with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Deputy Labor Leader Prue Car. Picture: NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
“On the one hand, a government falling apart before our eyes, cracking like an imported light rail carriage, breaking down like an outsourced ferry,” said Mr Albanese, after walking onto the stage to enthusiastic whoops and rapturous applause.
“Plagued by scandal, dogged by resignation, and it still boggles my mind to say this, even stooping so low as to rort bushfire aid.
“Imagine the deficit of character it takes to do that.”
In the crowd was Morris Iemma – the last NSW Labor Premier to win a state election – and Mr Minns’ wife, Anna, and their eldest son Joe.
Chris Minns with his wife Anna Minns. NewsWire/ Monique Harmer
Local singer, Georgia Mooney opened the launch with a medley of songs. Giving the welcome to country, Brendan ‘Japangardi’ Kerin also shot a barb at the Premier.
“We’ve had three catastrophes over the last three years. Covid, floods and Dominic Perrottet,” he said.
“Covid: Out of our hands. The weather: Also out of our hands. Dominic Perrottet: We can make change.”
$12k cash promise for health students
In his speech to Labor loyalists, Mr Minns espoused the usual suspects: The need for education reform, teacher retention, promising to end privatisation and removing the wages cap.
Mr Minns also released Labor’s latest policy promise: A $76m plan to fund HECS subsidies of up to $12,000 for students studying medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health if they commit to working in the public health system for at least five years after graduation.
Those currently enrolled in courses will also be able to access a one-off payment of $8000 when they graduate, with 2000 places in the scheme over three years.
“We will bring more people into our healthcare system but we also need to support those already working,” said Mr Minns.
The $76m plan to fund subsidies of up to $12,000 for students studying medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health. Picture: NCA Newswire / Gaye Gerard
On Sunday, Labor also announced a $93 million push to hire 1000 new apprentices and trainees by 2026, with on-the-job training at Essential Energy, in the construction of NSW-built Tangara trains and with Labor’s promised $1.3b Energy Security Corporation.
“The government is the largest employer in the country yet we employ only 1300 apprentices. We need to do better. We need to lead the way. We will increase that by almost 75 per cent,” he said.
“My message to the next generation of young Australians is clear, we back you and under a Labor Government your potential is unlimited,” he said.
2000 current students a year can also access a $2000 payment if they commit to working five years Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Nicholas Eagar
Minns announces potential new cabinet
If victorious at the State Election, Mr Minns also identified key members of his front bench.
Daniel Mookhey would transition to Treasurer, while the current shadow ministry would retain their positions, including Prue Car as Education Minister, Jo Haylen as Transport Minister, Penny Sharpe as Environment Minister, Ryan Park for Health Minister and Annoulack Chanvithong as Finance Minister.
Mr Perrottet’s government stands to lose 15 current ministers who will not be recontesting the current election. This includes retiring ministers such as Health Minister Brad Hazaard, Infrastructure Minister Rob Stokes, and Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello.
In February, NSW Finance Minister Damien Tudehope was forced to resign after failing to disclose more than $60,000 Transurban shares in a diversified superannuation fund.
In 2022, Fair Trading Minister Eleni Petinos was also stood down from her ministerial portfolio over bullying allegations – though she remains the Liberal candidate for Miranda.
Read related topics:Anthony Albanese