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Mr MIKE BAIRD: The Premier, with the Leader of the Opposition, Barry O'Farrell, had a chance to achieve historic change in this State by taking politics out of costings. It was not a stunt; it was something the Opposition would stand by should it win government next year. For once this State's representatives—Opposition members and Government members—would have had an opportunity to look every community in the eye and say that their election promises had been costed independently and rigorously. Government members had the opportunity to bring some honesty and integrity to that process. What did the Premier do? At the first opportunity she ran out of the House, just like she has done today.
Not only did she run out of the House, but she agreed with the Leader of the Opposition that under the provisions of the Government's bill costings would be done independently. The Premier agreed to the Auditor-General overseeing the independent process. The Government then introduced its bill, which effectively said, "Hang on, we actually want Treasury to do it." Treasury is an arm of government. The Opposition has no problem with Treasury, but does not like its political masters—that is, the lot opposite, the State Labor Government. We all remember what Graham Richardson said: "Whatever it takes"—and that is what will happen, to the detriment of the people of New South Wales, who want integrity and honesty in their Government. This debate provided that opportunity. It comes as no surprise that when the Government's bill was transmitted to the upper House the crossbenchers in that place said, "We actually want this costing to be independent."
We want a chance to reform this State. We want to redefine politics in this State because we are sick of playing the old games. This State Labor Government is sticking to the old rule book, which is all about itself, all about its mates and not about the community of New South Wales. This Opposition is different; it wants to stand up for its community and put in place this historic reform to make costings independent. What happened in the upper House? The crossbenchers in that place agreed that the costings should be independent but then the Government voted against its own bill. That is a classic Labor Government tactic. As soon as Government members are under pressure they go running.
Mr Gerard Martin: That's disingenuous and you know it.
Mr MIKE BAIRD: No, it is absolutely true. The Government went running. The Premier had a chance—I need to be clear so that everyone in New South Wales understands—once and for all to introduce reform that is in the interests of this State. The Leader of the Opposition took a principled stand and said he wants to lead a different government. He wants to change the narrative of this current State Government, which is all about itself and all about the old political games. Barry O'Farrell made a principled commitment. What happened? Make no bones about it, the Premier of this State, Kristina Keneally, squibbed it. She forgot her principles and ran. Why? Because the heavyweights in Sussex Street—Eric Roozendaal, Joe Tripodi and all of them—said, "No, no, no, we want to use costings against the interests of the people of New South Wales because that works." That is what the Government wants to do. If the Government votes not to debate this bill, it will prove once and for all to everyone in New South Wales that it has lost touch with the electorate, lost touch with doing what is right and lost touch with integrity. The Opposition is determined to pursue just that.
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