Six things worth fixing: our NSW platform takes shape
Members have settled the focus areas for our NSW policy platform — innovation and manufacturing, integrity, crisis response, fair tolls, the environment, and water for the regions.
Democrats policy is written by members, and the NSW division’s members have now settled the six focus areas our state platform will be built around. Each one will be developed in the open, tested against evidence, and published as it matures — starting now, well ahead of the March 2027 election.
Innovation and manufacturing. NSW should make things again — and make the new things well. That means backing local manufacturers, research commercialisation and skills pipelines, and making sure the data-centre build-out delivers compute, jobs and power benefits to the people who host it. Our flagship AI Compact leads this work.
Integrity. NSW built Australia’s first anti-corruption commission, and the ICAC remains the model the rest of the country argues about. We’ll defend its independence and funding without flinching, and push the unfinished business: truth in political advertising, real lobbying transparency, and donation reform.
Community safety and crisis response. From floods on the Northern Rivers to fires on the ranges, the pattern repeats: locals respond magnificently, systems respond late. We want crisis response planned and funded before the disaster, not announced after it — and the volunteers who carry it properly supported.
Fair tolls. Sydney motorists pay some of the heaviest toll bills in the world under contracts written decades into the future. We’ll push for one fair, transparent network — more on this in coming weeks.
Environment. Practical, evidence-led protection: habitat, coastlines and a serious transition — measured by outcomes, not press releases.
Water and the regions. West of the ranges, water is life and trust is low. We back transparent allocation, honest metering and a fair deal for the communities of the Murray–Darling.
Every plank is open for members to shape. Join — including as a free Supporter — and help write what NSW votes on next March.