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AAP
AAP
Politics
Luke Costin

Leaders rule out new taxes, privatisation in NSW

NSW Opposition Leader Chris Minns and Premier Dominic Perrottet will arrive in Lismore on Tuesday. (Mick Tsikas/Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

No new taxes will be imposed on NSW households and businesses in the next four years, both major parties have promised.

But the premier and opposition leader have attacked each other's economic credentials as management of the economy comes into focus ahead of the election on March 25.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said his re-elected government would have "no new taxes".

"It's incredibly important because lower taxes provide economic opportunity for businesses and families across our state," he said on Tuesday.

The 12-year government had cut taxes 33 times, including several cuts that resulted in a near-doubling of the payroll tax-free threshold.

Despite those changes, payroll tax revenue is forecast to be 30 per cent higher in 2024/25 than it was in 2018/19.

"When you cut the tax rate, you grow the economy, you increase revenue, and then you can invest that not just in frontline services, but in the infrastructure that matters most to people across our state," Mr Perrottet said.

He has been pushed repeatedly in recent weeks about how he would fund major projects such as the Warragamba Dam wall raising and 100km of planned Sydney Metro lines.

The government is yet to allocate funding for those projects beyond planning costs.

While reiterating the government had a track record of funding its infrastructure, the premier shifted on Tuesday to a steadfast guarantee of future privatisation.

"We are not privatising assets. I can't be clearer," he said.

But Labor leader Chris Minns, who has ruled out privatisation, said voters needed to be wary any time the coalition discussed unfunded infrastructure.

Premier Dominic Perrottet and Opposition Leader Chris Minns will arrive in Lismore on Tuesday. (Natalie Grono/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

"Unfunded infrastructure means more privatisation for NSW, " he said.

"If there's an asterisk attached, and they haven't explained where the money will come from, it will come from the sale of Sydney Water and the rest of the electricity assets."

Mr Minns defended his recent call to halt the business cases for two Metro lines - Parramatta to the new western Sydney airport and Bankstown to Glenfield.

The premier accused him of "hurting the families of western Sydney" and scrapping projects from opposition while Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone said Labor was prioritising marginal seats at its heartland's expense.

"We need to make sure every available dollar goes to the projects that have been committed to by this government," Mr Minns said.

"There's no point putting planning money into stage two if stage one is on the verge of being cancelled."

After a morning of trading barbs, the two leaders will join survivors in Lismore on Tuesday evening - a year on from devastating floods.

Five lives were lost and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed in the Northern Rivers city on February 28, 2022, when a month of record rainfall fell in the region.

Locals will pause for the Gathering of Reflection and Healing, with the flood still front and centre of the minds of the city's 45,000 residents.

"I know today will be a very difficult day for those families in the Northern Rivers but ... the thoughts of everyone across NSW is with you," Mr Perrottet said.

Mr Minn said: "From the tinnie army to the locals who put their own lives in danger to save others, to our emergency services, we are with you today, on what will be a tough day".

Both leaders say they are committed to the rebuild of the Northern Rivers.

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