• Domestic and Family violence services • Shark Management • Interest-free loans • Thriving Kids • Northern Beaches Hospital
Hi Wakehurst!
The NSW State Budget for 2026-2027 is here. Having advocated with success since my election in 2023 for better funding across our beaches and hospitals, lower energy costs and stronger support programs, I'm pleased to see a number of those efforts reflected in this year's Budget too.
Key wins:
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50% increase (additional $184.1 million) in frontline domestic and family violence services
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$86.6 million for the Shark Management program over two years
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$480 million has been allocated towards interest-free loans for solar.
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$22 million in funding to ensure a smooth transition for Northern Beaches Hospital
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$631.9 million to deliver the Thriving Kids program
Read below to find out more about how these investments will make a lasting difference to our community.
Cheers,
DOMESTIC AND FAMILY VIOLENCE PROGRAMS
50% increase in frontline domestic and family violence services funded by $184.1 million.
My first public interest debate ever, in 2023, was on Domestic and Family Violence. I called on the NSW Government to increase funding for specialist DV services, expand the Staying Home Leaving Violence program and invest in primary prevention. Since then I’ve worked alongside local organisations like Women and Children First, the Northern Beaches Domestic Violence Network and DV NSW to keep pushing for real change.
Today’s announcement is vital, especially because the need in our communities has long outstripped the capacity to respond. Services have been reporting wait times of several months and are working well above their capacity. That is not good enough for women and children in crisis.
The investment includes:
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$76.1 million for the Safer Pathway program, providing coordinated support for victim-survivors across NSW
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$54 million for the Staying Home Leaving Violence program and the Integrated Domestic and Family Violence Services program to help women and children remain safely in their homes after violence and provide intensive case management for high-risk families
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$19.3 million for Men’s Behaviour Change programs, to reduce and prevent violent and abusive behaviour
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$17.5 million for the Domestic Violence Response Enhancement program, providing after-hours assistance to people experiencing domestic and family violence
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$17.2 million for Specialist Workers for Children and Young People, providing trauma informed support for children and young people escaping violence
This is years of work paying off, for all those organisations and programs, and it’s a significant step forward. But it’s not over. The need in our communities is immense and I’ll keep working alongside our local organisations in particular to ensure the women and children who depend on these services see the results of this investment and that the pressure for long-term reform doesn’t let up.
SHARK MITIGATION
The NSW Government has announced $86.6 million over two years for its Shark Management program, the largest and most comprehensive of its kind. The program now includes:
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more than 300 SMART drumlines from Tweed to Bega
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surveillance drones at 80 beaches during peak periods
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tagged shark listening stations in every coastal LGA
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and a major partnership with Surfing NSW covering trauma kits, drones and training for around 180 boardrider clubs and surf schools.
The Northern Beaches is a surfing community and keeping people safe in the water is a big part of what makes that possible. This has been one of my key priorities over the past year. I've been working closely with Surfing NSW, local boardrider clubs and Surf Life Saving NSW to push for better shark surveillance and mitigation across our coastline. Specifically, I took Surfing NSW's proposal for extended drone coverage and jet ski patrols to the Government as well as emphasising the need for more listening stations across the Beaches.
In December 2025, $2.5 million was committed to the SharkSmart program, with stronger support for boardrider clubs and extended drone coverage. In January 2026, another $4.2 million was added, focusing on shark listening stations, bull shark research and broader community education.
None of this happens without the whole community behind it. Thank you to everyone who has worked tirelessly on this, including Jacqui Scruby MP. And a special acknowledgement to Maria Psillakis, whose courage in turning personal loss into meaningful change for everyone who uses our beaches, has been truly inspiring.
SOLAR INTEREST-FREE LOANS
$480 million has been allocated towards interest-free loans for solar.
Under the Home Energy Saver Program eligible households can now access up to $15,000 Interest Free, to put towards rooftop solar, batteries, insulation, air conditioning and more. Households with a combined taxable income of up to $210,000 qualify and even self-funded retirees are included.
I took this policy to the 2023 election and have been advocating for it ever since. The biggest barrier to improving your home’s energy efficiency has always been the upfront cost. This program removes that hurdle and I’m thrilled to see it become a reality. We hear so many stories of families not being able to run their air conditioners because of the cost. That changes now.
I’m proud to have played a strong role in getting this across the line for the people of Wakehurst and NSW. This will make a huge difference to your electricity bills.
Make sure you check out what’s available to you at the Home Energy Saver website
NORTHERN BEACHES HOSPITAL
$22 million is going towards the Northern Beaches Hospital to help manage the impacts of its transition to public hands. This will help ensure the transition is properly resourced so that patients, staff and the broader community can feel the benefits as quickly as possible.
Getting this transition right has been one of my biggest priorities and this funding is a meaningful step in the right direction. I'll be keeping a close eye on how this investment is rolled out to make sure the Northern Beaches gets the public hospital it has always deserved.
THRIVING KIDS PROGRAM
The NSW Government will contribute $631.9 million over five years as part of a $1.1 billion co-funded package with the Australian Government to deliver the Thriving Kids program, providing new early intervention support for children aged 8 and under with developmental delay and/or autism who have low-to-moderate support needs.
Early intervention is everything. The earlier we identify and support children with additional needs, the better the outcomes for them, their families and their communities. This is something I've been advocating strongly for, including through my recent Question on Notice to the Minister for Education pressing for better funding alignment with student needs, improved support for neurodivergent students in our public schools and greater transparency for parents about the resources attached to their child.
There is still more to do, particularly within our school system, and I'll keep pushing for that. But this is a significant investment in giving kids the best possible start, and I'm glad to see it happen. Thanks to the parents in my working group for all your efforts on this. You are amazing
MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
Despite the wins, this Budget misses (in my opinion) three practical reforms that could have strengthened public finances, improved essential services and supported businesses doing it tough. Instead of tackling these challenges, the Government has left important opportunities on the table.
📈 Missed Opportunity: Payroll Tax Relief for Small Businesses
The payroll tax threshold has been stuck at $1.2 million since 2020, despite years of wage growth and inflation. The Budget misses the chance to index or increase the threshold, leaving small and medium businesses facing a tax that can discourage them from hiring and growing. Neither the former government or this government have been willing to tackle it. However, I will continue to persist.
🚌 Missed Opportunity: Tackling the Bus Driver Shortage
Communities across NSW continue to face bus cancellations, overcrowding and unreliable services. The Bus Industry Taskforce identified a wage subsidy as a potential solution to attract and retain drivers, yet the Budget contains no funding to pursue this recommendation. However, they have agreed (after my urging), to do an EOI for the former High school site in Forest to be 100% key worker housing, including bus drivers. Watch this space for future announcements
🎰 Missed Opportunity: Gaming Machine Tax Reform
The Budget fails to review the generous gaming machine tax concessions enjoyed by registered clubs, despite NSW forgoing hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue every year. A sensible review could have generated funding for essential services while supporting efforts to reduce gambling harm. The crossbench is doing a lot of work in this space and I will continue to work with government and/or opposition to make meaningful change.
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