The NSW treasurer is accused of having a "big black hole" in the state budget after revealing no money has been put aside to begin two of the government's major infrastructure projects.
Treasurer Matt Kean acknowledged there were no plans yet to raise the wall at Warragamba Dam or build the Northern Beaches Link tunnel during the next term of government during a debate with shadow treasurer Daniel Mookhey.
Funding was not allocated to the projects in the mid-year budget update released last week, which priced the state's infrastructure program at $116.6 billion over four years to 2025/26.
"Over the next four years (those projects) are not in our infrastructure plan," the treasurer told Sydney radio station 2GB on Wednesday.
But Premier Dominic Perrottet insists the Warragamba Dam wall will be raised during the next four years if the government can win the March 25 election, saying funds to plan the project have been allocated.
"We have a strong infrastructure pipeline," the premier told reporters on Wednesday.
"We've committed to raising the Warragamba Dam wall."
After deadly flooding last year, the premier committed to raising the dam wall, estimated to cost about $1.5 billion, to protect homes in western Sydney from inundation.
Mr Perrottet said final consultations were under way for the project and the state would soon submit its plans to the federal government.
"We do expect joint contribution from the federal government at it is a significant infrastructure project," he said.
But Mr Perrottet added the wall-raising would still go ahead without federal funding.
"I'm happy to stand on our own two feet," he said.
During the debate, Mr Kean was asked if the government planned to sell state energy assets Ausgrid and Endeavour Energy to pay for major infrastructure projects such as the Northern Beaches Link.
The government proposed the tunnel in 2017 to connect the Sydney peninsula to the city centre and inner west.
"The fact is, you have a big black hole in your budget and you're trying to hide it," Mr Mookhey said.
During a heated exchange, the treasurer and the man who wants his job also clashed over Mr Kean's handling of the energy portfolio.
Energy bills have continued to rise amid a cost of living crisis, prompting the government to introduce a one-off $250 energy bill voucher.
Mr Kean said the war in Ukraine was driving up energy prices and the voucher would provide immediate relief, with the money coming from the government's "strong economic management".
Mr Mookhey said the government had made a mistake in privatising the state's energy network, leaving residents and businesses paying super profits to private energy companies.
"Queensland, which has kept its power assets - they've been able to respond to shocks like Ukraine much better than we have in NSW," he said.
"It's time to bring an end to this decade of privatisation, which has left families at the mercy of these privately owned electricity companies that Matt never criticises."
