23rd June 2026  

Budget Proves Need for Per-Capita Funding 

Today’s NSW Budget for 2026/27 proves the need for per-capita funding to be quarantined for regional areas rather than being diverted to cover cost overruns on major Sydney projects, according to the Member for Barwon, Roy Butler. 

Mr Butler says reduced funding for regional areas is disappointing. 

“Given the difficult financial environment and the government’s efforts to move towards a surplus in coming years, we knew this Budget would be tight,” said Mr Butler. 

“Some of the government’s cost-of-living measures – such as rebates on vehicle registration, energy and childcare – will help local people, but the toll roads relief and public transport fare freeze won’t do much in Barwon,” said Mr Butler. “And these token measures do nothing to address the major structural challenges faced by country people. 

“Cost overruns on major Sydney projects like metros and tunnels are hoovering up funds, while Barwon suffers from decades of under-investment by both major parties. 

“While I’m pleased to see funding allocated towards continuing projects, the overall spend in regional areas is clearly far below what we should receive if funding was allocated on a per-capita basis,” said Mr Butler. “Around one-third of the state’s population lives in regional areas, but regional areas are not receiving one-third of the government funding.” 

Ongoing Projects 

The following projects in Barwon have been confirmed to receive ongoing funding over the forward estimates: 

Future Projects 

There are some bright spots ahead, with the NSW Government demonstrating an interest in tackling the prevalence of youth crime in some regional areas. 

“Last summer, Premier Minns funded programs to engage youth in Coonamble, Walgett, Bourke and Brewarrina,” said Mr Butler.  

“Both Premier Minns and Attorney-General Daley will soon visit Barwon to advance plans for a judge-mandated compulsory residential program for young offenders that would break the pattern of escalation. 

“This is on top of recently announced grants for local groups to run early intervention programs in Walgett, Brewarrina and Wilcannia,” said Mr Butler. 

Against a backdrop of declining grants to local councils, Mr Butler is arguing for a renewed program to address the impacts of mining on local communities. 

“Mines contribute an enormous amount of revenue to the state, and some of that money should flow back to mining-affected councils to help communities cope,” said Mr Butler. 

Another way of supporting regional NSW is to ensure funds aren’t wasted on a firearms buyback. 

“We shouldn’t be using public funds to take people’s property away when there are so many worthy projects to spend that money on,” said Mr Butler. 

“A buyback simply takes firearms out of locked safes, which doesn’t make anyone safer. 

“But the projected $1 billion cost would go a long way towards addressing some of our issues with healthcare, housing and transport,” said Mr Butler.