A new analysis of the NSW budget reveals the Government's much-promoted "Affordable Housing Fund" is actually being directed to road projects, including the contentious WestConnex tollway. 

The analysis was revealed by peak housing body Shelter NSW. It shows that rather than paying for housing, the $262 million fund will pay for roads, with $140 million for a WestConnex off ramp at Lidcombe.

The 2016 NSW Budget brings bad news for public transport, housing affordability, TAFE, the Arts and our environment.

Here are some facts on where our public funds are being allocated.

The largest single Roads and Transport Infrastructure budget item in the NSW Budget is WestConnex with $2.9 billion earmarked this financial year, with nearly $800 million for planning and pre-construction costs. 

"The Liberal government is committing billions to the wasteful and polluting WestConnex project but has failed yet again to deliver simple public transport improvements like accessible lifts at Redfern, Stanmore or Petersham railway stations, says Greens MP for Balmain, Jamie Parker. 

“The Liberal government is continuing its wasteful expenditure on this destructive 33 km tollroad which won’t solve Sydney’s congestion problems.

With the announcement by the Australian National Audit Office of their intention to audit WestConnex,  NSW Greens WestConnex Spokesperson Jenny Leong MP has called for an immediate halt to all work and funding of this controversial project.

Member for Newtown and NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex Jenny Leong MP reported to Parliament on the WestConnex Peoples Inquiry, where evidence presented by experts, councils and affected residents highlighted the lack of transparency, good governance and community consultation surrounding the $16.8 billion WestConnex toll road.

Ms Leong also highlighted the federal funding propping up the polluting WestConnex disaster. The recent Federal budget sawthe supposedly public transport-loving Prime Minister's Government set aside another $300 million for WestConnex, which is in addition to the $1.15 billion already gifted to the project.

Last Friday we hosted the People's Westconnex Inquiry in NSW Parliament. Today we drew the Government's attention to the testimonies of health professionals, council transport planners, academics, residents, community campaigners and members of Parliament who all agree that Westconnex is bad for Sydney. 

NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, today chaired the Peoples WestConnex Inquiry in the NSW Parliament. The Inquiry seated close to 100 participants and heard presentations from 20 expert speakers as well as multiple testimonies from affected members of the community who took the opportunity to put their views against WestConnex on the public record.

“The purpose of this Peoples Inquiry was to highlight the lack of transparency, good governance and community consultation surrounding the $16.8 billion WestConnex tollroad and today’s Inquiry exposed many of the extremely problematic impacts that this project will have”, said Ms Leong.

NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex and Member for Newtown Jenny Leong MP, will chair the Peoples WestConnex Inquiry in the NSW Parliament tomorrow.

What:  Peoples WestConnex Inquiry
Where:  NSW Parliament, Jubilee Room
When:  Friday 6 May 10 – 2 pm

The purpose of the Peoples Inquiry is to highlight the lack of transparency, good governance and community consultation surrounding the $16.8 billion WestConnex tollroad.

A number of expert speakers, community representatives and members of parliament will make presentations to the Inquiry including:

• Ms. Jude Page, NSW Public Health Association
• Mr. Mark Ely, Newtown Business Precinct Association
• Ms. Daisy Barham, Nature Conservation Council
• Members of NSW Parliament: Dr Mehreen Faruqi MP, Jamie Parker MP and Jo Haylen MP
• Representatives from local councils and residents’ groups

Members of the public will also be provided with an opportunity to put their views on the record.

A full schedule, including all speakers, is available here.

Member for Newtown and NSW Greens spokesperson on WestConnex Jenny Leong MP speaks on the Government Information (Public Access) Amendment (Sydney Motorway Corporation) Bill 2016.

This bill is designed to ensure that the information held by the Sydney Motorway Corporation  - the entity created to administer the WestConnex project - is subject to freedom of information requests.

Sydney Motorway Corporation (SMC) is wholly owned by the NSW Government and paid for by the people of NSW, yet is neither transparent nor accountable to the people of NSW. The Greens will continue to fight for transparency and accountability when it comes to this disastrous motorway project.