Budget we had to have

NOT everything in tomorrow’s state budget will win “universal acclaim” from voters but all of it is necessary to get NSW back on track, Treasurer Mike Baird said.

It’s expected the state government will have to wield the axe in tomorrow’s budget to ease the pain of a $1 billion deficit in 2011-12.

Mr Baird, who will deliver his first budget to the Legislative Assembly at noon, said the previous Labor government had recklessly put off building the state’s infrastructure.

“We make no apologies – we need to build the state’s infrastructure, protect the finances and regain confidence … there are some things that won’t win universal acclaim from everyone,” he said earlier today.

“It’s hard work and it’s not going to turn the state around in one step.

“But for the past 16 years we’ve had a government that has done nothing – we need to get NSW going again, this is a new era for NSW.”

The budget is expected to plunge the state about $1 billion into the red to pay for a range of big-ticket items.

Hospitals and roads are expected to get serious funding, including a major upgrades of the Pacific and Princes highways and widening of the F5.

Since taking power, Premier Barry O’Farrell has warned of a grim budget, caused by a $5.2 billion “black hole” left by his Labor predecessors.

Opposition leader John Robertson has slammed the O’Farrell Government for “trashing his own economic credibility”.

“This is the mother of all backflips from Mr O’Farrell who said he was going to be fiscally responsible,” he said.

“Plunging NSW into only its second budget deficit in 15 years is a mind-boggling breach of faith.”

Earlier today Mr Baird thanked his staff for their hard work in preparing the Coalition government’s first budget.

Yesterday the Treasurer got to spend a few precious hours with his family for Father’s Day before returning to work.

“I’m happy with it (the budget),” he said. “But I’ll be happy when it’s over.”

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