
Billions of Dollars Ripped Out of Western Sydney With Next To Nothing Given Back
NSW Labor have demanded the Government explain exactly how the billions of
dollars collected from Western Sydney residents in stamp duty in the past 10
years has been spent.
Figures obtained by NSW Labor show the stamp duty by the State Government
more than tripled from $612 million in 2011/12, when the NSW Liberals came to
power – to almost $2 billion in 2015/16.
From 2011/12 to 2019/20 the NSW Government raked in almost $13 billion in
stamp duty from Western Sydney residents.
The Shadow Minister for Western Sydney Greg Warren said there was no
excuse for the Government’s gross lack of investment in the region’s
infrastructure, given the money collected though stamp duty.
“The Government’s dismal failure to provide Western Sydney residents with
basic infrastructure speaks volumes for how the NSW Liberals feel about the
fastest growing region in the state,” Mr Warren said.
“Emergency department waiting times in the region are among the worst in the
state, public transport is woeful and critical infrastructure like the M12 Motorway
is well behind schedule and over budget.
“The NSW Liberals take and take from Western Sydney but when it comes time
to give back, they’re nowhere to be seen.”
Freedom of Information requests for the stamp duty figures were originally
denied by Revenue NSW in mid-2019.
However, the Information and Privacy Commissioner determined
the Department held the information and had no grounds to withhold its release
to the public.
Mr Warren said the fact the Government did not want the information released
proved they were guilty of ripping off Western Sydney residents.
“I’ve seen tinted windows that are more transparent than the NSW Liberals,” he
said.
“This Government specialises in deceit and secrecy, as we’ve seen with the
Stronger Communities Fund debacle.
“The figures regarding the amount of stamp duty collected from
Western Sydney are alarming – no wonder the Government tried to prevent
them from seeing the light of day.”