barry o'farrell's 200 broken promises

BROKENPROMISES2OO

Barry O’Farrell’s

“I’m happy to resign if I don’t

deliver on these promises.”

Barry O’Farrell, 16 March, 2011

Barry O’Farrell has broken an extraordinary 200 promises in his first year as Premier. We have seen the O’Farrell Government send electricity prices soaring and increase public transport fares by almost double the rate of inflation, instead of delivering on key election commitments to keep the cost of living down.

NsW has lost tens of thousands of jobs and the O’Farrell Government is sending the state into rolling Budget deficits for the first time in more than 15 years, instead of keeping our economy strong.

The O’Farrell Government has also broken its promise to duplicate the Pacific Highway by 2016 in partnership with the Commonwealth and cut much needed police from the areas dealing with the worst spate of drive by shootings in a decade.

Mr O’Farrell’s promise of a scandal free government has been farcical, with the Parliamentary secretary for Police, steve Cansdell forced to resign in disgrace and the Minister for Gaming and racing, George souris embroiled in the sordid star casino affair.

The Premier’s refusal to sack education Minister adrian Piccoli and environment Minister robyn Parker, despite their appalling dereliction of ministerial duty, only makes a mockery of his promise of ‘higher standards’.

The people of NsW were promised more and deserve better.

I will continue to record each and every broken promise the O’Farrell Government makes to ensure the Premier is held to account.

John robertson NSW OppOSitiON Leader

Minister: Broken proMises

Barry O’Farrell: Premier, Minister for Western Sydney 54

Gladys BereJIklIaN: Minister for Transport 23

JIllIaN skINNer: Minister for Health and Medical Research 19

Pru GOWard: Minister for Family and Community Services, Minister for Women

13

adrIaN PICCOlI: Minister for Education and Training 13

duNCaN Gay: Minister for Roads and Ports 12

Brad Hazzard: Minister for Planning and Infrastructure 11

GreG PearCe: Minister for Finance and Services, Minister for the Illawarra

10

GreG sMITH: Attorney General, Minister for Justice 10

CHrIs HarTCHer: Minister for Resources and Energy, Special Minister of State, Minister for the Central Coast

6

kaTrINa HOdGkINsON: Minister for Primary Industries,Minister for Small Business

6

rOByN Parker: Minister for the Environment and Heritage 6

aNdreW sTONer: Deputy Premier, Minister for Trade and Investment, Minister for Regional Infrastructure and Services

6

MIke BaIrd: Treasurer 4

MICHael GallaCHer: Minister for Police, Minister for Emergency Services, Minister for the Hunter

4

kevIN HuMPHrIes: Minister for Mental Health, Minister for Healthy Lifestyles, Minister for Western NSW

1

aNTHONy rOBerTs: Minister for Fair Trading 1

GeOrGe sOurIs: Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Hospitality and Racing, Minister for the Arts

1

totAL 200

O’Farrell Ministers breakdown of broken promises:

BrOkeNPrOMIses

1 “We have absolutely no plans to privatise

either the generators or the poles and wires.”

Barry O’Farrell, 28 January 2011

the o’Farrell Government is privatising the state’s generators in a move that will send energy prices soaring for nsW households and put 15,000 jobs at risk.

2 When asked by opposition Leader

John robertson: “is the Government considering repealing the longstanding ban on uranium mining and exploration in nsW?” premier o’Farrell: “no”.

Hansard, 4 August 2011

o’Farrell Government passes Bill in Legislative Assembly allowing uranium exploration in nsW for the first time in 26 years.

3 “the Coalition is absolutely committed

to not only continuing the upgrade of the pacific Highway, but to actually speeding the process up to make sure the job is done by 2016.”

Andrew Stoner, 3 February 2011

o’Farrell Government no longer supports the 50:50 funding split needed to duplicate the highway by 2016.

4 “not a single dollar is going to be taken

off the budget bottom line, not an additional dollar of debt is going to be added to the state’s balance sheet.”

Mike Baird, 24 March 2011

Barry o’Farrell has destroyed the budget, plunging the state into deficit for the next four years and doubling Government debt to over $15 billion.

5 “A nsW Liberals and nationals

Government will deliver the nsW health and hospital system an additional 1,390 beds.”

Health policy document

Government document reveals 405 beds up and running prior to the 2011 election will be counted in the 1,390 new beds promise – which will mean nsW hospitals miss out on one third of the new beds they were promised.

6 ‘’We have to stop the boom-or-bust cycle

by ensuring that police numbers remain at the levels we need to fight crime effectively.’’

Barry O’Farrell, 20 March 2011

Government figures reveal that Greater Metropolitan sydney police stations are currently understaffed, with another 242 police officers needed on the ground immediately just to meet basic operational demands.

7 “As the parent of school age children,

i would expect government to do everything possible to replace these heaters… only an incompetent and inexperienced premier would ignore parent and teacher concerns.”

Barry O’Farrell, 29 May 2009

o’Farrell Government has confirmed it won’t replace unflued heaters in nsW schools.

8 “the people of western sydney are

not the dumping ground for sydney, especially this radioactive waste. it is unsafe waste material and should not be dumped in our community.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, 19 October 2010

Barry o’Farrell has reversed the former government’s policy and will dump 5,000 tonnes of the north shore’s radioactive waste in kemps Creek.

9 “the nsW Government remains

committed to ensuring that we increase the number of children accessing preschool in the year before school.”

Adrian Piccoli, 9 November 2011

the o’Farrell Government introduced fees for the first time at public preschools – costing parents up to $200 extra per child, per week.

10 “We’re going to get the cost of living down.”

Mike Baird, 6 May 2011

the o’Farrell Government has increased public transport fares by 5.4 per cent - almost double the rate of inflation, costing the average commuter from penrith, parramatta or Gosford an extra $156 per year.

11 “the nsW Liberals and nationals are

committed to returning local planning powers to local communities through their councils.”

Planning policy document 2011

o’Farrell Government is considering rezoning 43 ‘wish list’ sites developers want for massive housing estates, against the wishes of the local councils.

12 “the o’Farrell Government is committed

to improving the lives of people with a disability and making the lives of their families and carers easier.”

Minister for Disabilities, Andrew Constance, ADHC newsletter

More than 700 students with disabilities left stranded and unable to get to school for weeks because the education Minister, Adrian piccoli failed to properly renew transport contracts with drivers.

13 “police would keep their rights to

collective bargaining, awards and an independent umpire.”

Mike Gallacher, 20 March 2011

the o’Farrell Government has cut entitlements for police officers who are seriously injured or disabled in the line of duty.

14 Gaming Minister George souris embroiled

in sordid star casino affair and admits he knew about sexual harassment allegations at the star in January but failed to inform the independent Liquor and Gaming Authority, in line with his ministerial responsibilities.

15 parliamentary secretary for police,

steve Cansdell forced to resign in disgrace after admitting to signing a false statutory declaration.

16 new parliamentary secretary for police,

Geoff provest caught accepting a banned political donation.

We will raise Ministerial standards of behaviour. (Contract with NSW)

17 Deputy premier Andrew stoner referred

to iCAC after it was revealed he had been receiving the highest solar Bonus scheme feed in tariff, despite failing to pay his deposit before the deadline.

18 Aboriginal Affairs Minister Victor

Dominello caught speeding.

19 parliamentary secretary for police,

Geoff provest caught pushing the purchase of a former national Mp’s land for a police station.

20 “the old politics of smear and fear and

untruths is the past.”


parliamentary Budget office, Acting nsW treasury head Michael Lambert and standard & poors’ confirm the premier and treasurer lied about the existence of a ‘budget black hole’.

21 “Demountables are supposed to be used

for temporary purposes only.”

Adrian Piccoli, 21 December 2008

tens of thousands of students will be stuck in demountable classrooms indefinitely because the o’Farrell Government has scrapped the demountable replacement program.

22 “Develop better processes for

establishing renewable energy facilities such as commercial scale solar farms and wind farms.”

Sustainable energy policy document

“We haven’t approved any [wind farm] applications and if i had my way, we wouldn’t.”

Barry O’Farrell, August 2011

23 “if response times continue to

lengthen, then it’s a case of lives being put in danger.”

Jillian Skinner, 16 November 2009

o’Farrell Government policy keeps paramedics on call at their homes to save money, instead of hiring adequate numbers of paramedics on night duty – reducing response times.

24 “the nsW Liberals and nationals

believe government has a role in ensuring women enjoy the same quality of life and opportunities which are available to men.”

Status of Women policy document

the premier’s expert Advisory Council for Women, responsible for specialist advice to the nsW Government about issues affecting women in nsW, has been scrapped.

25 “the nsW Government will give priority

to passenger movement.”

Gladys Berejiklian, 15 September 2011

passed legislation to give rail freight priority over passenger trains, which will see commuters face longer and more frequent delays across the Cityrail network.

26 “Any shredding or destroying of

documents is totally unacceptable.”


no changes to shredding policy.

27 “our plan to rebuild the nsW economy

begins by improving the competitiveness of small business and supporting their potential.”

Small business policy document, 2011

Cancelled small Business september, MicroBiz Week, the young entrepreneurs program and the Women in Business mentoring program.

28 “in the 2011/2012 Budget, the o’Farrell

stoner Government has delivered the largest increase in funding for mental health in the state’s history.”

Kevin Humphries, 2011

there has been a $69.6 million cut in real funding for mental health services in the 2011/12 Budget.


Government will introduce mandatory life sentences for those convicted of the murder of police.”

Mike Gallacher, 20 June 2011

Legislation passed by the o’Farrell Government includes a loophole which will make it harder to convict a person who has killed a police officer.

30 “the Liberals and nationals presently

have no plans to privatise any further prisons.”

Mark Neeham, February 2011

Government confirms it is considering the privatisation of prisons in 2011/12 Budget.

31 “A Liberal Government would commit to

supporting the outcomes of the [AsU] case. Ms Goward has been a long term and vocal supporter of equal pay.”

Barry O’Farrell, March 2011

the o’Farrell Government refuses to back the equal pay case for community sector workers.

32 “the days of giving the planning

Minister sweeping powers to approve developments at the stroke of a pen with virtually no consultation with local communities are over.”

Barry O’Farrell, 4 April 2011

‘’the desirable course is to work with councils, but at the end of the day the state Government and i, as planning Minister, have the capacity to rezone without their concurrence.”

Brad Hazzard, 30 January 2012

33 “i am very pleased to say that the almost

1,800 letters have now been typed up and sent to general practitioners. it can be guaranteed that this will not happen again”

Jillian Skinner, Hansard, 17 October 2011

Widower receives a bill from nepean Hospital in December for her late husband’s mesothelioma treatment - despite the fact he had passed away 18 months earlier.


committed to the significant reform of child protection services to better protect vulnerable children.”

Children at risk policy document

100 child protection workers sacked and a staffing freeze implemented across the department responsible for caring for vulnerable children.

35 “the nsW Liberals and nationals will

take action to help improve the choices and wellbeing for seniors.”

Seniors policy document

suspended funding to VisionCare nsW in a heartless move that will force an estimated 26,000 seniors and residents to live without glasses.

36 “What commuters deserve and should

have is station staff equipped to deal with issues on a daily basis.”

Gladys Berejiklian, 7 April 2009

At least 95 stations risk losing their staff under the o’Farrell Government’s cost cutting review of railCorp.

37 “We need to set the right priorities

and provide more resources for better facilities with more beds, more nurses, and goals that reduce waiting times.”


emergency Department waiting times and ambulance off stretcher times increasing across the state under the o’Farrell Government, with waiting times peaking at levels not seen since the swine Flu crisis.

38 “one Minister will have responsibility

for both the education and training and Juvenile Justice portfolios.”

Barry O’Farrell, NCOSS 2010 conference

Adrian piccoli is Minister for education and training. there is no o’Farrell Government Minister for Juvenile Justice.

39 “if clinicians are saying this [Firstnet]

system is putting lives at risk, then we need to halt the roll-out and sit down with frontline health workers and find out how to make it work.”

Jillian Skinner, 7 March 2011

Health Minister sat on an independent report detailing serious problems with the Firstnet system for more than six months.


committed to a marine parks policy that is based on science, not political outcomes.”

Recreational fishing policy

Government ignored the findings of an independent audit panel that the current system of marine parks be maintained, and is now undertaking a review of the review.

41 “our resources for the regions package

will inject up to $160 million in our first term into infrastructure projects in communities affected by mining.”

Andrew Stoner, 28 February 2011

no funding set aside for the ‘resources for the region package’ over the Budget forward estimates.

42 “We won’t let home ownership become

a distant dream for young people across this state.”

Barry O’Farrell, Liberal Party campaign speech, 2011

Dumped stamp duty concessions for first home buyers, which will force up to 95,000 first home buyers to pay an extra $10,000 to $20,000 in tax on their first property purchase.

43 “the Government can reject the

independent pricing and regulatory tribunal’s recommendations. i call on the Government to do so.”

Andrew Stoner, 24 June 2010

the o’Farrell Government passed on an 18 per cent price rise to electricity bills after only four months in office.

44 “My government will improve working

conditions for nurses.”

Jillian Skinner, 12 May 2011

Heath Department issues new directive ordering that the first member of nursing staff to take sick leave on a morning or afternoon shift will not be replaced, seven days per week.

45 “in Government, the nsW Liberals and

nationals will bring back the offence of drunk and disorderly.”

Liberal and Nationals policy document

the intoxicated and Disorderly Conduct Bill does not bring back the offence of drunk and disorderly.

46 “i believe in openness - the facts should

always be on the table and allowed to speak for themselves.”

Jillian Skinner, health policy document

Minister tabled annual 2010/11 nsW Health report on 21 December, weeks behind schedule and only days before the Christmas break to avoid scrutiny.

47 “place downward pressure on the cost of

living.”

2021 Plan

Barry o’Farrell announced a ban on the sale of unleaded petrol, which would have sent prices soaring for families, business owners and those unable to buy new cars – only backflipping because of a public backlash.

48 “Ban family members of politicians

working in ministerial offices.”


premier confirms a number of ministerial staff are relatives of current and former Coalition Mps.

49 “regional relocation Grants will apply to

the purchase of a home between 1 July 2011 and 30 June 2015 and a maximum of 40,000 grants will be payable.”


$100 million cut to the regional relocation Grant program will see 13,000 fewer grants provided to families relocating to regional council areas over four years.

50 “initiatives since being elected include

an accommodation support facility for the tweed’s growing number of young homeless people.”

Geoff Provest, National Party website

no funding allocated for a tweed homeless shelter by the o’Farrell Government.

51 “infrastructure nsW will comprise an

independent chair.”

Liberal Party policy document 2011

Former Liberal premier and key Liberal fundraiser nick Greiner appointed Chair of infrastructure nsW.

52 “the nsW Liberals and nationals have

a plan for kick starting regional nsW. it involves building the infrastructure, creating jobs and bringing the people.”

Regional kick start policy

Government planning to expand road maintenance contestability across the state, which would see private contractors carry out country road works instead of local councils – putting local jobs at risk.

53 “our system will remain with WorkCover

and the industrial relations Commission playing their roles. We don’t have any plans to go further than that.”

Greg Pearce, 11 March 2011

the o’Farrell Government has confirmed it is considering merging the state’s tribunal system, including the industrial relations Commission.

54 “education Minister Adrian piccoli

promised to personally intervene in teacher wage negotiations.”

Daily Telegraph, 9 December 2011

education Minister has refused to personally intervene in teacher salary negotiations.


will deliver better value for money in government procurement. We will require every department to use whole-of-government contracts.”

Make NSW Number One Again policy

education Minister Adrian piccoli’s own schools policy breaks this promise. schools will not be required to comply with departmental or whole-of-government procurement guidelines.


committed to conserving nsW’s unique national parks and wildlife.”

Environment policy document

Abolished the Department of environment, Climate Change and Water.

57 “We will provide $10 million to pilot

community and workplace health checks for the early identification of persons with a chronic disease at risk of hospitalisation.”

Community Pharmacies policy document

only $2 million set aside over four years for community health checks.

58 Duncan Gay promises a standalone

parliamentary secretary for recreational Fishing.

February 2011

no standalone parliamentary secretary for recreational Fishing in the o’Farrell Government.


ensure the conservation needs of the grey nurse shark are met well into the future.”

Recreational fishing policy document

o’Farrell Government lifted bans on high risk fishing methods designed to protect the critically endangered grey nurse shark at Fish rock and Green island.

60 premier promises to freeze dividends paid

by power and water companies because of the pressure it places on prices.

19 April 2011

increased the dividend Hunter Water pays the nsW Government by a whopping 23 per cent.

61 “i want to be seen as the infrastructure

premier.”

Barry O’Farrell, 27 December 2010

the o’Farrell Government will spend $400 million less on infrastructure in the 2011/12 Budget than the former Government had budgeted for.

62 “one extra AM peak express [Blue

Mountains] train service each weekday.”

Barry O’Farrell, 20 February 2011

no new express service for the Blue Mountains.

63 “Five new [penrith] services including one

extra AM peak hour express train service each weekday and two extra AM and two extra pM semi-express services.”


no new express services for penrith.

64 “16 additional express [Campbelltown]

train services, one per hour from 6am to 10pm.”


no new express services for Campbelltown.

65 “six new [Central Coast] services,

including a direct link between the Central Coast and Macquarie park/Macquarie University.”


no new express services for the Central Coast.

66 “[there will be] no cost for Foi

applications and the establishment of mandatory deadlines.”

Election policy document

o’Farrell Government changes to the Government information public Access (GipA) Act fails to waive costs for Foi applications and establish compulsory deadlines.

67 “the public needs to be absolutely

confident that decisions are made in the public interest, and are not unduly influenced by sectional, commercial or private interests.”

Lobbyist policy

infrastructure nsW Chair nick Greiner is a paid consultant and former Chair of trility pty Ltd – which is bidding to buy the sydney Desalination plant.

68 “no family member would expect their

loved one to be treated in a room where medical supplies and other equipment is stored.”

Jillian Skinner, 2007

Minister fails to take action when a royal north shore Hospital patient is kept in a storage room and given a cowbell to attract nurses’ attention. “i’m sorry that he isn’t in a room with chandeliers and glorious views.”

69 “We will offset the cost of the solar

bonus scheme against uncommitted funds in the Climate Change Fund to ensure that prices do not have to rise.”

Liberal Party policy document, 2011

$12 Climate Change Fund levy will be added to household electricity bills each year.

70 “For $9 million we could have this [Gipp

street recreational] centre up and running.”

Tanya Davies, 20 January 2011

Mp concedes there is no funding allocated for the Gipp street recreational facility in Mulgoa.

71 “the Department of education and

training should preserve this [seaforth tAFe] site to retain educational flexibility for the Manly area.”

Mike Baird, 10 April 2008

seaforth tAFe remains closed.

72 “[ethics] classes will be on this year and

will continue next year and beyond.”

Adrian Piccoli, 3 February 2011

o’Farrell Government holds a parliamentary inquiry into ethics classes and forces parents and advocates to defend the popular alternative to scripture.

73 “Create a unit of the Deputy premier

within the Department of premier and Cabinet.”

National Party policy document 2011

there is no new unit of the Deputy premier within the Department of premier and Cabinet.

74 “We will introduce a renewable energy

buy-back scheme.”

Energy policy document 2011

solar energy feed in tariff scheme dumped.


Government will encourage more nurses to work in the nsW public health system”

Jillian Skinner, 12 May 2010

o’Farrell Government charged nurses $10,000 for a retraining course just so they could re-enter work in the public health system until a public backlash forced them to backdown.


are committed to ensuring that our environment is protected.”

Protecting our natural environment policy

Delayed national park declarations at the Yathong and Wilbertroy state Forests, leaving them without protection from heavy logging.

77 “our action plan to make sydney liveable

again will stimulate construction.”

Housing policy 2011

nsW housing commencements are at their lowest levels since the GFC under the o’Farrell Government (December 2011 quarter).

78 “What i can commit to is doing everything

possible to keep future increases in power and water as low as possible.”


o’Farrell abandons a scheduled $55 million funding increase to the energy vouchers program to help disadvantaged families and pensioners pay their electricity and gas bills.

79 “the nsW Liberal and national parties will

completely overhaul the state’s 30 year old planning legislation to ensure it provides greater certainty, transparency, timeliness and merit-based decision-making.”

Planning policy document

independent Commission Against Corruption (iCAC) report into the nsW planning system has revealed the o’Farrell Government’s new planning system risks corruption.

80 “We are delivering on our plan to kick

start regional nsW.”

Andrew Stoner, 6 September 2011

Government closes Berrima and kirkconnell prisons – stripping hundreds of local jobs from the regional communities.

81 “A priority area is getting more women

into leadership positions, including on Government boards.”

Pru Goward speech, 6 March 2012

Barry o’Farrell removed the requirement that 50 per cent of all new appointments to Government boards and committees be women.

82 “the delivery of accessible and

affordable dispute resolution services [is] a priority for the nsW Liberals and nationals Government.”

Anthony Roberts, 23 September 2011

Closed the parramatta office of the Consumer trade and tenancy tribunal.

83 “[We will] ensure that we cut back

on waste and mismanagement, and better applying taxpayer dollars will be part of it.”

Barry O’Farrell 2011

in December, Barry o’Farrell signed a contract with the M5 operator which will cost taxpayers $600 million in additional tolls to pay for only $350 million of road works.

84 [spending $1 million replacing the

Hornsby Hospital roof] is like putting a new windscreen wiper blade on an old, clapped out bomb of a car and expecting the driver to do better.”

Jillian Skinner, 5 March 2010

Announces $1 million will be spent fixing the leaking roof at Hornsby Hospital, instead of the $50 million promised to rebuild the hospital.

85 “We must ensure that housing not

only meets shelter needs but also is a gateway to accessing crucial services.”

Pru Goward website

Government has refused to top up funding for public housing maintenance – and will not provide any funding for non life threatening repairs until 1 July 2012.

86 Attorney General Greg smith supports a

trial needle exchange program in prisons.

1 March 2011

no trial needle exchange program in nsW prisons.

87 “We will require juvenile graffiti

vandals to appear before the court...and empower courts to suspend convicted graffiti vandals’ drivers licenses.”

Graffiti policy document

premier abandons legislation required to implement his graffiti election promises in the nsW parliament.

88 “not enough has been done to protect

our national parks for future generations to explore and enjoy.”

Environment policy document

o’Farrell Government allowing firewood collection in the Gulpa, Millewa and Moira precincts of the Murray Valley national park, which are famous for river red gums.

89 “We will appoint a fully independent

open Government Commissioner within the office of the nsW ombudsman.”

Open government policy

no open Government Commissioner appointed.

90 “establish a Commissioner of Victims

rights to advise government, advance victims’ rights, and assist victims in their interactions with government agencies and other organisations.”

2021 Plan

no Commissioner of Victims rights has been established under the o’Farrell Government.

91 education Minister Adrian piccoli signed

tAFe pledge during election campaign promising to back tAFe teachers and guarantee funding.

piccoli transferred 13,000 tAFe workers to the federal industrial relations system with no consultation and no commitment to maintain existing wages and conditions.

92 “the time has come for nsW to establish

an Judicial Appointments Commission ...to restore public confidence in judicial appointments.”

Greg Smith 2008

no Judicial Appointments Commission established.


consult with the community prior to the tender for a Coal and Coal seam Gas exploration Licence.”

Strategic land use election policy 2011

Cabinet given power to bypass independent advisory panels to approve CsG extraction licenses if the project offers ‘exceptional value’.

94 “Where CsG activities involve

interference with groundwater systems, we will require that proponents must obtain an Aquifer interference Approval.”


Aquifer interference restrictions will only occur in the extraction process and not the lengthy exploration period beforehand, which would still allow significant damage to potentially occur.

95 “Within three months of taking office, an

Aquifer interference regulation will be implemented.”


no Aquifer interference regulation introduced after one year in office.

96 “the only party talking about developing

Western sydney parklands is the Labor party.”

Greg Pearce, 16 February 2011

o’Farrell Government will develop two industrial sites in the pristine Western sydney parklands nature reserve.

97 “Convene a roundtable (including

representatives of peak infrastructure and housing bodies, suppliers of utility infrastructure and services and local government) to assess where contestability can be most effectively applied.”

Start the Change document

no industry roundtable has been convened on increasing contestability for housing infrastructure delivery.


close the gap between metropolitan and regional economies by offering more economic opportunities in regional nsW.”

Planning for prosperity policy 2011

Closed four regional trade and investment small business offices in tweed Heads, Broken Hill, Coffs Harbour and Goulburn that support local business.

99 “We are determined to make the next ten

years ‘the decade of decentralisation’.

Decentralisation 2011 policy document

Closed five nsW industrial relations offices in Gosford, penrith, Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and orange.

100 establishment of a parliamentary oversight

committee to guarantee improvements in renewable energy investment resulting from the electricity sale.

Mike Baird, 19 June 2008

not included in electricity generator sale legislation.

101 “We will not cut the number of public

holidays in nsW.”


Cancelled the newcastle regional show public holiday.


raise the participation of nsW four year olds at two day a week preschool to 95 per cent during our first term of government, by providing up to an additional 25,000 preschool places.”

Nationals policy document, 2010

no funding for new preschool places in forward estimates.

103 “establish a set of ethics and values

for Ministers and the public service [in legislation].”

Make NSW Number One Again document

set of ethics established for the public service, but not o’Farrell Government Ministers.


reduce reliance on external consultants.”

Savings strategy policy

transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian spent $18 million in ten months on private consultants, without adding a single new train or bus service.

105 “With sydney’s spiralling knife epidemic,

penalties of imprisonment need to be extended to cover possession of any knife, without reasonable excuse.”

Greg Smith website

no extension of prison terms for knife crime.

106 “the serious sex offenders legislation

...should be extended to cover serious violent offenders.”

Greg Smith, 7 April 2010

the o’Farrell Government has not legislated to extend the serious sex offenders legislation to serious violent offenders.


Government will extend the existing light rail service in the inner West.”

Transport policy document, 2011

o’Farrell Government has delayed the project until 2014 and scrapped the GreenWay – an integral part of the inner West light rail extension.

108 “We will do whatever is possible within

the contractual arrangements to ensure that taxpayers start to get a fairer deal [on the desalination plant].”


the o’Farrell Government will pass on sydney desalination plant electricity trading losses to water users for the first time.


Government will create a Bureau of Women’s statistics.”

Women’s policy document 2011

there is no Bureau of Women’s statistics in nsW.


produce an annual report on the status of women in nsW.”

Women’s policy document

there has been no annual report on the status of women under the o’Farrell Government.

111 “only a nsW Liberals and nationals

Government will deliver more frequent and reliable services.”

Gladys Berejiklian, 1 December 2010

signalling failures on the rail network have topped 250 incidents per month, causing serious delays.


Government will shine the spotlight on women’s issues.” Women’s policy document

Minister for Women, pru Goward scrapped the nsW Woman of the Year award for international Women’s Day 2012.


committed to making nsW number one again and female participation in the workforce is critical to achieving this goal.”

Women’s policy document

Coalition Mps refuse to support flexibility in the workplace and voted against pushing back a committee meeting by 15 minutes to allow Bankstown Mp and mother of three, tania Mihailuk to drop her children at childcare.

114 “All carers in nsW should be recognised,

valued and supported by the community and by the government.”

Seniors’ policy document

Community services Minister pru Goward tried to force grandparents and other kinship carers to demand child support payments from the birth parents of children they care for.

115 “our planning policy includes the

thorough examination of enhanced buffer zones and ring fencing.”


no reference to ring fencing in the draft strategic land use strategy.

116 “Within one year of taking office,

regional strategic plans will be underway in the Liverpool plains, Gloucester region, Gunnedah, Upper Hunter and southern Highlands.”


no plans in place.

117 “the nsW Government will introduce

tough new offences to combat organised crime in further support of police in their war on drive by shootings.”


Consorting laws introduced by government exposed as a farce - with crime families automatically exempt and police told to give criminals ‘official warnings’ before they can lay charges for certain offences.


pursue a new era of open government.”

Open government policy 2011

Banned the release of all public service briefs prepared for the government on coming to office – against the advice of the information Commissioner and freedom of information experts.

119 “the Government is committed to

increasing restoration and permanency to children and young people’s support and care.”

Pru Goward website

slashed the post-adoption allowance from $16,000 to just $1,500 a year for children who are adopted by their foster parents, making it a far more difficult option for foster parents to consider.

120 Londonderry Mp, Bart Bassett charged

after being caught drink driving on his way home from parliament.

121 tamworth Mp, kevin Anderson caught

running his government relations company after he was elected.

“We will end the scandals.” Barry O’Farrell, 2011.

122 premier refuses to sack environment

Minister robyn parker for unparalleled displays of incompetence, including failing to warn stockton of a toxic chemical leak twice and claiming ‘logging protects koalas’.

123 premier stands by Adrian piccoli despite

revelations the education Minister lied to the parents of disabled children and the premier about when he first knew of problems with the disabled transport scheme and failed to inform parents once directed to by the Boston report.


will pilot ‘sobering-up centres’ in two metropolitan and one regional entertainment districts across nsW.”

Barry O’Farrell, 18 May 2010

no sobering up centres being trialled.

125 “i promise to devolve responsibility and

accountability to those closer to the patient – such as local health district board members.”

Jillian Skinner, 1 July 2011

Health Minister breaks promise to devolve responsibility and reveals under parliamentary privilege that she sacked highly respected businessman roger Corbett Ao as Chair of the sydney Children’s Hospital network Board because of a personal vendetta.


restore trust and confidence in our public service, and uphold the tenants of sound and accountable ‘Westminster’ government.”

Restoring trust policy

premier fails to uphold the basic Westminster principle of Ministerial responsibility and sack Ministers who fail in their duty of care, such as Adrian piccoli and robyn parker.

127 “the nsW Liberals and nationals’

first priority for nsW is unashamedly restoring economic growth.”

Make NSW Number One Again

Unemployment has increased to 5.2 per cent, wages are falling, job advertisements are falling and the standard and poor’s nsW ratio has increased from 98.5 per cent to 115.5 per cent – closer to the trigger for a ratings downgrade of 120 per cent.

128 “We will commit resources where they

are needed, not where it is politically convenient.”


Health Minister misled parliament by claiming Armidale Hospital was not invited to resubmit for federal funding for a redevelopment, despite receiving the opposite advice – sabotaging major health works in tony Windsor’s federal seat of new england.

129 “We will ensure expense growth will be

less than, or equal to, revenue growth.”

Make the NSW Economy Number One Again

expenses growing faster than revenue in the 2011/12 Budget and deteriorated further in the half year review.

“What I stand for is honest, competent and stable government.”Barry O’Farrell, campaign speech 2011

130 “nsW Government ‘apps’ for mobile

phones to enable users to obtain, free of charge, real time information on how to best access customer services.”

Government services policy

no nsW Government app with ways to access cross agency government services.

131 “introduce a single nsW Government 24

hours, seven days a week, phone number providing callers with information about government services.”

Government services policy

Government services number still operates from 8.30am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

132 ‘‘Mr o’Farrell said he was determined

to do everything possible to assist families facing increased cost of living pressures.”

Media release, 31 January 2012

the o’Farrell Government’s plan to introduce distance tolling on un-tolled roads will cost western sydney motorists up to $25 just to travel to the city.

133 “Merge the existing three distributors

into a metropolitan and a regional electricity distribution network.”

Electricity policy document

o’Farrell Government slashing three energy distributors to just one, which will see 800 workers sacked and services decimated. regional nsW will also be left without a dedicated energy supply company.

134 “i state for the record that a future

o’Farrell Government will honour all accepted applications as a matter of faith.”

Catherine Cusack speech, 2010

Announced the solar tariff would be cut from 60 cents to 40 cents for people already in the scheme before backflipping after public outrage.

135 “We will need more public servants, not less.”

Barry O’Farrell, Fate of our State debate 2011

At least 5,000 public sector jobs cut in the 2011/12 Budget with more job cuts flagged.

136 “public servants will be no worse

off under this [industrial relations amendment] policy than they were under Labor’s policy.”

Barry O’Farrell speech, 2011

University of sydney’s Workplace research Centre found a nurse would be $12,232 worse off and a teacher $14,580 worse off each year had the o’Farrell policy been applied over the decade.

137 ‘’the nsW Liberals and nationals have

no plans to change mining royalties.’’


Mining royalties increased in the 2011/12 Budget with federal revenue for mining communities redirected into the o’Farrell Government’s coffers.

138 “We will retain the same cabinet as

shadow cabinet, in terms of portfolios and people.”

Barry O’Farrell, 2011

shadow Ministers Catherine Cusack, Greg Aplin and Melinda pavey all dumped from the Government frontbench.

139 “every employee who is skilled and

works hard will have a job running sydney ferries.”

Gladys Berejiklian speech, 2011

one in six staff working for sydney Ferries will be sacked by the o’Farrell Government.

140 “We will trial 50 new student support officers

at a cost of $13 million over four years.”

Education policy document

Budget papers only allocate $11 million over four years and fails to mention how many student support officers will be cut.

141 “i’m not going to sell out our mandate,

sell out those people who have supported us, simply to trade votes with minority interests in the state’s Upper House.”


premier took reverend nile’s Bill to repeal ethics classes to Cabinet and allowed him to bring on debate to repeal the classes at the expense of Government business - in exchange for passing his industrial relations legislation.

142 “in the first 100 days we will enact campaign

finance legislation that includes restricting political donations to individuals.”

100 Day Plan

Barry o’Farrell didn’t introduce legislation until 12 september 2011 and it wasn’t passed until 16 February 2012.

143 “the Liberals and nationals will fast track the

delivery of sewerage to Yanderra households for a new delivery year of 2014/15.”

Housing policy document

Amendment to the sydney Water operating license reveals planning will not commence for a sewerage connection in Yanderra until 2015. no date given for completion.

144 “the Liberals and nationals will fast

track the delivery of sewerage to Douglas park households for a new delivery year of 2012/13.”


Amendment to the sydney Water operating license reveals delivery of Douglas park sewerage connections will not take place until 30 June, 2014.

145 “the Liberals and nationals will fast track the

delivery of sewerage to Wilton households for a new delivery year of 2012/13.”


Amendment to the sydney Water operating license reveals delivery of Wilton sewerage connections will not take place until 30 June, 2014.

146 “i am delighted to commit an o’Farrell

Government to delivering $3 million towards the [polding st and Cumberland Highway] intersection upgrade.”

Andrew Stoner, March 2011

no funding set aside for polding st and Cumberland Highway intersection at Fairfield in Budget forward estimates.

147 “pensioners fought long and hard for this

increase – and the Liberals and nationals were right beside them in this fight – we are not going to stand by and let the keneally Labor Government steal this money from them.”

Barry O’Farrell, 20 September 2010

reversed former Government’s decision to freeze rents and increased social housing rent for pensioners by $11.90, more than one third of their hard won pension increase.

148 “We will keep all [Department of primary

industries] research centres open and fully fund them.”

Duncan Gay, February 2011

Cronulla Fisheries research Centre set to close.

149 there will be “planned and funded

commuter car parking” for Granville.

Gladys Berejiklian, 2011

no funding for a Granville commuter car park in the Budget forward estimates.

150 “the Government has committed $500

million towards both the upgrade of the princes Highway and the completion of the south nowra upgrade.”

Duncan Gay, 2011

$300 million shortfall in funding over Budget forward estimates.

151 “We want to offer teachers a

smorgasbord of incentives [to teach at hard to staff schools]. some may be attracted by transport incentives, housing incentives, monetary incentives.”

Adrian Piccoli, 23 February 2011

no new incentives to attract teachers to hard to staff schools.

152 “installation of lifts at oatley station to

improve accessibility.”

Liberal Party election leaflet

no funding set aside in Budget forward estimates for oatley station.

153 “installation of lifts at narwee station to

improve accessibility.”


no funding set aside in Budget forward estimates for narwee station.

154 “panania station to receive new lift.”

Glenn Brookes, March 2011

no funding set aside for an easy access upgrade at panania station in forward estimates.

155 “the nsW Liberals and nationals will be

an honest government.”


premier caught out lying about the impact of a carbon tax on public transport fares, when he knew nsW treasury advice said that any impact would be less than 0.5 per cent.

156 “this new [three strikes] tough measure

will apply to all licensed venues whether pubs, clubs, nightclubs, bottle-shops or restaurants.”

George Souris, 19 November 2010

Clubs will be exempt from losing their liquor licenses under the Government’s legislation.

157 Barry o’Farrell promised $350 million

for a Hunter infrastructure Fund on top of the Hunter’s 2011/12 existing budget of $1.7 billion under the former Government.

Newcastle Herald, March 2011

o’Farrell Government cuts the funding promised to the Hunter by almost $1 billion and only delivers $1.2 billion.

158 “We believe that openness and

transparency are the best ways to deliver better services and results for the community.”

Start the Change document

shut down the parliamentary Budget office to avoid scrutiny.

159 premier said appointing too many Mps

to special positions was political parties “looking after themselves first and the community last”.

January 2010

64 of 88 Liberal and national Mps rewarded with new titles and pay rises.

160 “A solar summit will ensure the further

development of solar energy in nsW.”

Liberals and Nationals policy document

solar in nsW has stopped dead in its tracks since the solar summit. A solar company in western sydney cut 30 jobs and the largest provider of solar panels in Australia has gone into receivership.

161 “the public service has been racked by

nepotism and political appointments in nsW for too long, and today we start the change to end that process.”


A conga line of Liberal and national party mates have been appointed to government roles including former Liberal Mps John Brogden, nick Greiner, Helen Coonan, patricia Forsythe, Bruce Baird, Wendy Machin, Andrew tink, Jim Lloyd, tim Moore, John Hannaford, peta seaton, robert Webster, and Andrew Humpherson.

162 “installation of lifts at pendle Hill train

station.”


no funding allocated over forward estimates in Budget.

163 “What they need now is a state

Government that is open, transparent and honest about what happened.”

Jillian Skinner on an incident at Westmead Hospital, September 2010

When Westmead Hospital ran out of water for four hours, the Minister failed to inform the community and a member of the public raised the alarm.

164 “installation of lifts at toongabbie

station.”


no funding allocated over forward estimates in Budget.

165 “i have no plans to privatise nsW ports.”

Duncan Gay, August 2011

port Botany will be privatised under o’Farrell Government.


Government will ensure the nsW Lobbyists register covers all those seeking to influence Government decisions.”

Liberal Party policy document, 2011

premier met with and appointed Australian Hotels Association lobbyist Brian ross to the Casino, Liquor and Gaming Control Authority board in clear breach of the Lobbyist Code of Conduct.

167 “there will be no impact on water prices as

a result of the [Desalination plant] lease.” Restart NSW policy document

Desalination plant declared a ‘monopoly supplier’ which will inevitably increase water prices.

168 “our task is to deliver on our election

commitments, including $100 million to upgrade roads in western sydney.”

Tanya Davies, March 2011

2011/12 Budget delivers $195 million cut to western sydney roads funding.

169 “only a nsW Liberals and nationals

Government will help restore the status of agriculture in nsW by creating a standalone Department of primary industries.”

Duncan Gay, 25 February 2011

Department of primary industries falls under Department of trade and investment super-agency.

170 “Wentworth Falls station a priority.”

Roza Sage, Blue Mountains Gazette, January 2011

no funding allocated.

171 $2 million for upgrades to the

intersection of the Cumberland Highway and Darcy road, Westmead. “We will have money on the table ready to go in our first year of Government.”

Andrew Stoner, 4 March 2011

no funding allocated in Budget 2011/12.

172 “this bill would... ensure that a

paediatrician oversights the medical management of any person under the age of 18 who is admitted as a patient in an adult ward of the hospital within 24 hours of the person’s admission.”


Vanessa’s Law promise dumped.


committed to empowering clinicians and giving them a real say on how to deliver the best patient care to their local Health District.”


Minister replaced the only local doctor from the tweed area on the northern nsW Local Health District Board with two prominent national party members.


Government will deliver honesty and transparency to the nsW health and hospital system.”


Complaint lodged by smithfield Liberal Mp Andrew rohan after his local newspaper was banned from attending a local hospital visit with the Health Minister.


reopen Gulgong Hospital and build a new Multi purpose services health centre.”

Jenny Gardiner, 25 June 2011

Health Minister confirmed Gulgong Hospital will not be reopened.

176 “We’ve got ourselves a very good major

event – probably the draw fixture of the current season for the nrL, and the nsW Government... is doing track work just where they shouldn’t be.”

George Souris, 2010

trackwork took place on the nrL Grand Final weekend in 2011 under the o’Farrell Government.

177 “We want to attract major events to this

city and we should be able to do this without causing traffic chaos.”

Duncan Gay, 2011

the M2 reduced to just one lane on the nrL grand final weekend, causing traffic chaos across the city.

178 “Widening Henry Lawson Drive and

Canterbury road.”

Glenn Brookes, August 2011

no funding allocated for project in Budget forward estimates.

179 environment package to help regenerate

bushland and waterways at Harris Creek in Holsworthy.

Member for Menai Melanie Gibbons, March 2011

Gibbons admits there is no funding and “it wasn’t on the Government’s priority list”.

180 “As soon as possible after the election,

the people of riverstone will have a plan, completion dates and money to go with it [for the riverstone rail overpass].”

Andrew Stoner, 22 July 2010

no funding allocated.

181 “$5 million for the construction of a

Wollongong road pedestrian tunnel.”

John Flowers, March 2011.

no funding provided over Budget forward estimates for a pedestrian tunnel.

182 “the Government has committed to

strengthening police numbers by aiming for an authorised strength of 90 per cent and above for every command across nsW.”

Mike Gallacher, 19 December 2011

police numbers have fallen below the authorised strength under the o’Farrell Government for the first time in years.

183 Hazzard vows not to keep former

Government’s planning “rotten policies”.

Brad Hazzard, 2011

Minister uses the same powers he called ‘rotten’ to intervene in a development application for a police station in Leichhardt that looked set to be rejected by planners.

184 “Coalition promise of $8 million to

purchase land for Calvary Mater newcastle expansion.”


$7 million funding shortfall that will prevent the purchase of land for the hospital expansion.

185 “Brendan o’reilly will conduct an

independent inquiry into the newcastle chemical leak.”

Barry O’Farrell, 17 August 2011

Government documents prove environment Minister robyn parker’s office drafted the terms of reference for the ‘independent’ inquiry, which did not specifically look at the Minister’s delay in passing on health warnings.

186 “the nsW Coalition has promised there

will be no more cuts to agriculture jobs in the public service if it wins government on March 26.”

Duncan Gay, 3 March 2011

11 scientists sacked from the Forest science Centre in West pennant Hills, with more job cuts flagged.

187 “the nsW Government is determined to

stand with the people of the illawarra.”

Barry O’Farrell after 800 BlueScope job losses announced, August 2011

Axed illawarra Advantage Fund which has created and retained more than 3,000 jobs in the illawarra.

188 “We believe that local decision-

making delivers better outcomes for communities.”

Planning policy document

Without meeting with the local community, the o’Farrell Government went ahead and gazetted a change to ryde Council’s Lep, giving the go ahead to the development of a 24-storey building on the controversial Civic Centre site.


understand that communities need assistance during natural disasters like the recent floods, and in Government we will ensure that nsW gets its fair share.”

Andrew Stoner, January 2011

Andrew stoner failed to apply for flood relief grants for Mid north Coast primary producers in June 2011 for six weeks – delaying payments of up to $15,000 from the Commonwealth.

190 “the nsW Liberals and nationals is

offering to return the Hunter region to honest, stable and competent government.”


Minister for the environment, robyn parker fails to warn stockton families for 54 hours that their children were potentially exposed to toxic chemicals after a toxic leak from the orica plant.

191 “install a lift at Waratah train station.”

Liberal Party election leaflet 2011

no funding allocated for Waratah train station.

192 “i’ll put regions at the heart of

government.”

Andrew Stoner, 28 March 2011

national party break ranks and vote to make a submission opposing the o’Farrell stoner Government’s strategic land use policy because it fails to deliver on key pre election promises to regional nsW.

193 transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian

promises four new ferry routes – “this is great news for commuters who will now have more services and an expanded range of routes to choose from”.

26 November 2011

three of the four new ferry routes won’t go ahead after private operators pull out.

194 “My Director of Communications [peter

Grimshaw] has stood aside pending an inquiry that i’ve asked the Director General of the Department of premier and Cabinet to undertake in relation to any breaches to the Ministerial staff code of conduct.”


premier restricts inquiry to investigating only one email to whitewash Mr Grimshaw’s involvement in the sordid star casino affair - despite the fact dozens of damning emails and texts from Mr Grimshaw have appeared in the media.

195 “it is not government policy to franchise

CountryLink.”

Gladys Berejiklian, 19 March 2012

plans to carve CountryLink off from the rest of railCorp and be run by a separate operator currently being drawn up by o’Farrell Government.


recognise a local bank account is essential to local purchasing. this is why we will ensure schools retain their local accounts.”

Local Schools, Local Decisions policy

o’Farrell Government restructure of education finances will see millions of dollars in interest raided from school bank accounts.

197 “i value the input of principals, teachers,

parents and the broader public education community.”

Adrian Piccoli, 11 August 2011

education Minister fails to consult with teachers before announcing major changes under the Local schools, Local Decisions policy.

198 “there will be no reductions that

threaten the dams across nsW.”


state Water is slashing its capital expenditure on dam safety upgrades so it can meet the o’Farrell Government’s massive dividend requirements – despite warnings many dams no longer comply with safety standards.

199 Jillian skinner committed to restoring

maternity services in the Greater Western Area Health service “major reinvestment is needed to give country communities the maternity services they need and deserve”.

27 August 2010

no additional funding in Budget forward estimates to open new maternity services in the Greater Western Area Health region.

200 “We are determined to end that culture

of promises and non-delivery.”

Barry O’Farrell speech, 2011

reaches 200 broken promises within one year of being elected premier.

barry o'farrell's 200 broken promises

Documents