Treasurer Dominic Perrottet announced funding for Dubbo Hospital, the Western Cancer Centre, Mudgee Hospital, Mitchell Highway overtaking lanes, the police training facility at Dubbo Airport, Mudgee arts and cultural precinct and much more.

This builds on the funding already announced for 350 additional car parks at Dubbo Hospital, a drug rehabilitation facility in the Dubbo region and $22.8 million for a platypus refuge and wildlife hospital at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.

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The NSW Government is investing in the regions because we know the regions can lead the state's recovery from this pandemic. We've proven our resilience through years of drought and COVID-19 will be no different.

As restrictions ease we need to strike the perfect balance between keeping our economy open, and keeping COVID at bay. That's why it's so important for people to stay home if sick and get tested! It's a balancing act but I believe we can do it - and be an example to the rest of Australia and the world!

Last week the NSW Government announced a consultation period to look at land tax and stamp duty. What is being considered is a once-in-a-generation change to help more people achieve the Australian dream of owning their own home, by giving home buyers the option to axe stamp duty (and land tax if applicable), and pay a smaller, annual property tax instead.

Already we have seen blatant lies about a new land tax being applied to farms. I want to make it clear that everyone will get a choice.

If you currently own a farm, there will be no impact on you. Someone buying a farm would get a choice between paying the existing stamp duty, or a new annual property tax. Intergenerational transfers are currently exempt from stamp duty and it is not envisioned that this would change under the proposal.

As part of the community consultation we will be consulting on farms. We want to hear from you about what this proposal would mean for you and your needs.

We have plenty of time to hear your voice.

The public consultation period will be open until March 15. For more information, and to have your say, go to: treasury.nsw.gov.au/property-tax-proposal

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