Ms JENNY AITCHISON (Maitland—Minister for Regional Transport and Roads) (20:16): I thank the Treasurer, the Hon. Daniel Mookhey, for delivering an amazing budget, not only for Maitland but for our entire State. He has announced so many great projects and so many great Labor initiatives that speak to the aspirations of all of our communities in the regions, including the need for proper housing; the need for essential workers, which is critical given we have had long-term workforce shortages; the need to get back on track with the energy road map; and the need to pay down the Liberal-Nationals debt we have been left with.

In contrast to the previous 12 years, where money was just going out the door in all these crazy ways but not actually making a difference across the State, we have seen a very measured approach. The budget has allocated part of the $334 million regional road fund to Thornton in my electorate, with $15 million allocated for the duplication of the Thornton rail bridge. Along the border that I share with the member for Upper Hunter there will be $6 million for Maitland Vale Road and $2.5 million for Melville Ford Bridge, which is more than was offered under the previous Government. That is a great outcome.

Maitland City Council will get $1.9 million from our $390 million Regional Emergency Road Repair Fund. Despite the funny accounting that we saw from those opposite that was mentioned earlier in question time, $390 million will roll out to regional councils across the State before the end of the year, and it will make a huge difference. We are combining that with the $280 million that was paid out in January, giving those councils some more time—in fact, they will have four years—to acquit those funds. Those councils that might be smaller in capacity but have very large road networks will now be able to spend that money. I am really proud of that.

I am also really excited about health. Even before I came into this place, I wanted to get Maitland Hospital to being a fully public hospital. Once we got the fully public hospital we wanted it to be fully functional. There is another $10 million there for final works, in terms of capital infrastructure upgrades. There is $3 million for a new building for all of our community health and mental health outpatient services, so we have an integrated health precinct there. Of course, there is our election commitment for 500 paramedics for the regions, and we are really looking forward to that being delivered.

Today I met with the health Minister Ryan Park about the state of Maitland Hospital. I am excited that some 1,112 temporary nurses and midwives will become permanent instead of ending their contracts at 30 June 2024, as was going to happen under the former Government. God knows we need more nurses and midwives. Further to that, there will be an additional 1,200 nurses and midwives. I say to the health staff in my electorate's hospital and those in my electorate who are struggling with health that we got a good hearing from the health Minister today. I think we spent in excess of 45 minutes talking with both him and the department, and later with the Minister in his office. There are positive, concrete steps we can take there, and I know the health Minister will take those steps.

I also give a shout‑out to the nearly 4,000 public servants in my electorate who will get a pay rise. I know that money will flow into our small businesses, which have just been holding on. We are looking at average mortgage rates going up by $17,000 a year for families. To have more money coming to our public sector workers will improve our small business outlook. Of course, who can forget the teachers? There are 670 teachers in my electorate and they will all benefit from that pay rise. I had 29 of them in my office the other day, having a chat to me about how they wanted a better deal. I am proud of our Deputy Premier, Prue Car, for her fantastic negotiations with teachers to get that deal set in place. Getting temporary teachers made permanent has been on my radar since I was elected. Now 187 teachers have been converted from temporary to permanent, which is amazing. Some $3 million was allocated to social housing, which is a really big issue in my electorate—and, of course, we ripped up that wages cap. Good on you, Daniel Mookhey. Good on you, Chris Minns. Good on you, Prue Car.