Treasury and Economic Policy

People before Profit The Greens believe that the market economy should serve the people and the planet, not the other way around. This might sound like a straightforward principle, but the reality is that the current 'neoliberal orthodoxy' reduces people and the environment to mere commodities in service of the market.

The financial crisis unleashed in September 2008 has demonstrated the failure of neoliberalism. Unfortunately the last people to understand this are politicians from the Labor and Liberal Parties.

As it turns out, the solution to the environmental crisis is also a solution to the financial crisis: a Green New Deal. From US President-Elect Barack Obama to UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and around the world, political leaders are starting to grasp this opportunity.

The NSW government is doing the opposite. It is cutting funding to essential infrastructure such as the North-West and South-West Rail Links. The credit ratings agencies that have been exposed for their role in creating the current global financial crisis are running Treasury policy in NSW.

Treasury on Trial

John Kaye's office is investigating allegations that the NSW Treasury:

exerts undue influence on the decision making of state government, including ministers, departments and agencies, and
that influence is undermining socially and environmentally progressive programs and initiatives, driving numerous privatisations and so-called public private partnerships, stymieing public sector wage growth and thwarting public investment in infrastructure and services.

Have you experienced or witnessed such allegations? If so, we would appreciate hearing from you.

To send us your story, complete this form. To maintain your complete anonymity, you are not required to enter your real name and email address. We appreciate your time.

Latest News:

Roozendaal fiddles as tax base burns

13 August 2009

NSW is the only state that failed to make a submission to the Henry review of Australia’s taxation system, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Firth misleads school communities on land sell-off

15 July 2009

NSW Education Minister Verity Firth is deliberately hiding her government’s Mini-Budget commitment to sell off $239 million of public school lands over the next three years, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Bob Carr's spin alive and well in Roozendaal budget

17 June 2009

This year's NSW Budget has the fingerprints of Bob Carr's former minder Graeme Wedderburn all over it, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Budget strategy undermined by wrong infrastructure decisions - services under threat

16 June 2009

Bad spending choices in water, electricity and transport will compromise the benefits of Treasurer Roozendaal's $62.9 billion infrastructure spend, according to Greens NSW MP and Treasury and Finance spokesperson John Kaye.

GST hike will shift cost of recession onto households

15 June 2009

The Greens are calling on the Rees government to oppose the Business Council of Australia's push for an increase in the GST as a short cut to improving the state's financial situation.

NSW Lotteries sell-off points to more problem gambling

24 May 2009

Treasurer Eric Roozendaal's quick-grab-for-cash privatisation of NSW Lotteries has predictably attracted potential buyers who will find new ways to exploit destructive gambling habits, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Federal budget puts heat on Rees inaction on solar tariff

13 May 2009

The Rees government’s failure to introduce a solar feed-in tariff is putting NSW at risk of missing out on the state’s share of the budget renewable energy funds, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Lost opportunity if Enmore school land sold

09 May 2009

The NSW Greens are calling for the Enmore Public School site to continue to be used for public education and for the state government to scrap plans for the site to be sold off and developed as apartments.

Roozendaal’s lottery sale desperation is bad news for public and gamblers

09 April 2009

The global financial collapse will put massive pressure on NSW Treasurer Eric Roozendaal’s plans to sell the NSW Lotteries Licence. The Rees government will be forced to accept a much lower price, sell to anyone who will buy it regardless of the social consequences and weaken protections for problem gamblers, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.

Roozendaal refuses to rule out selling NSW Lotteries to supermarkets

24 March 2009

Under questioning in parliament today by Greens NSW MP John Kaye Treasurer Eric Roozendaal refused to rule out selling NSW Lotteries to retail giants like Woolworths.