I understand the impact global events are having on household budgets and the difficult choices many families are making every week.

This Budget acts on a simple principle: relief for today, reform for tomorrow, discipline always – building a state working Australians can afford.

Relief for cost-of-living pressures

Relief in this Budget is practical and immediate, and it reaches households in the Heathcote electorate where costs bite hardest, on the road and in power bills. It delivers:

• $100 off private vehicle registration, worth $435 million across 4.4 million vehicles, with an $80 cut for motorcycles (excluding caravans and trailers). This is relief that matters most where people rely on cars, utes and longer drives.
• $557.1 million through the Home Energy Saver program: interest-free loans and discounts to install energy-efficient appliances and cut power bills over time.
• A $1,000 cost-of-living payment for more than 120,000 NSW Government employees, triggered because Sydney CPI growth exceeded 4 per cent between the March quarters of 2025 and 2026.

These relief measures sit in a wider statewide package, comprising:

• The weekly toll cap cut from $60 to $50 for 2026-27, going further than last year’s $60 cap.
• Scrapping toll administration fees from July, saving at least $10 a notice, and ending a charge that cost motorists $60 million last year, in some cases twice the toll itself.
• Opal fares held at 2025 prices for the year.

Emergency services

I'm excited to announce that $9.9 million of funding has been secured to deliver a new, state of the art fire station in Engadine.

I've been working with Premier Chris Minns and Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib to deliver the new station, and I thank them for their help in getting funding for the station over the line.

Built on the two lots adjoining both Railway Parade (Princes Highway) and the Old Princes Highway, the new station will be strategically placed for the needs of the area.

The Minns Labor Government is delivering on its long-term plan to rebuild our essential services by investing in physical infrastructure and in the frontline workers who deliver the services the people of NSW need. There is more to do and we're getting on with the job.

Healthier communities

Health is the largest single commitment in this Budget.

Across NSW, a historic $10.3 billion increase in health funding over four years, delivered with the Australian Government, will recruit 9,000 more health workers and fund around 2,900 more planned surgeries a year.

This sits alongside $11.9 billion for health infrastructure including 32 new and upgraded hospitals and more than 2,500 beds.

Regional NSW shares fully in that program. Of the $11.9 billion statewide, nearly $3.0 billion is invested in regional hospitals and health facilities over the next four years. In the Heathcote electorate, this includes the $241.9 million upgrade and expansion of Wollongong Hospital.

This investment adds to the work we have already completed in delivering the $4.4 million Sutherland Hospital theatre upgrade, the new $50.4 million Bulli Urgent Care Centre and delivering an additional 671 nurses, 172 doctors and 216 health workers to the electorate.

Better schools, closer to home

Every child deserves a world-class education, wherever they live. This Budget invests a record $9.2 billion statewide over four years for new and upgraded schools across NSW.

This includes investment towards a new multipurpose hall with a stage, gym, student amenities and other facilities at Heathcote High School, as well as a new multipurpose hall with a stage, covered outdoor learning area (COLA), canteen and storage facilities for Sutherland Public School.

The Minns Labor Government is working to improve educational outcomes, including transitioning 206 additional teachers and support staff across Heathcote.

Transport and connectivity

Reliable transport keeps the Heathcote electorate connected and moving. As part of the 2026/2027 Budget, the Minns Labor Government’s record investment in a new Rail Reliability Plan delivers:

• An additional $200 million for network maintenance compared to last year.
• $150 million over four years to deliver improvements at the Rail Operations Centre, including improved incident response and passenger support.
• More train drivers and guards for intercity services, delivering better reliability for passengers travelling between Sydney, the Illawarra, Central Coast, Newcastle, the Blue Mountains and beyond.
• Track, power and signalling improvements.

This Budget also invests $33 million in 2026-27 towards the $180 million Heathcote Road Upgrade including the construction of a westbound overtaking lane on the western side of Heathcote Road bridge towards New Illawarra Road.

Environment

I’m committed to improving environmental outcomes within my community. That’s why I’ve secured funding in the 2026-27 budget for the protection of wildlife corridors in Woronora Heights, Southern Sydney to support critical koala habitat and the movement of wildlife.

Housing

The Minns-Labor Government continue to work towards providing more social housing across the State and within the Heathcote electorate, with the 2026-27 budget providing additional funds towards upgrading social housing.

Member for Heathcote, Maryanne Stuart said:

"This Minns Labor Budget delivers practical cost-of-living relief while investing in the essential services local families rely on every day.

From cheaper vehicle registration to energy bill relief, these cost-of-living measures will put money back into the pockets of Heathcote households."

MEDIA:

Lachlan Wilkinson | Maryanne Stuart | 9548 0144