NSW Opposition leader Michael Daley has promised to fully fund public schools, ensure regional communities have secure water and save music festivals if Labor is elected on March 23.
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The opposition leader used the official launch of Labor's election campaign at Revesby in Sydney's southwest on Sunday to make a big-ticket education promise - that all public schools will be completely funded if his party wins the state election.
The $2.7 billion education pledge will deliver 100 per cent of the standard level of funding for every student by the end of the Gonski agreement in 2027.
"It means every child will be given a fair chance which is being denied by the Liberals and Nationals government," he told the crowd.
Labor will also focus on regional NSW with $1 billion to improve water supply and security including in the Darling River system which made international headlines after mass fish deaths this summer.
"Who would have thought in this day and age such a basic need (water) could have been so catastrophically denied by the Nationals," Mr Daley said.
Mr Daley also promised to introduce nurse-to-patient ratios in mental health units in public hospitals adding to Labor's pledge for mandated ratios in emergency, maternity, surgical and paediatric wards.
"The primary role of government is to put people first, to do public good - it's what makes me tick," he told the cheering crowd.
Mr Daley slammed Premier Gladys Berejiklian's decision to demolish and rebuild two Sydney stadiums and the coalition's bungled WestConnex and light rail projects. He also vowed to save music festivals he says are being hurt by the government.
"Never before have we seen such a government with such arrogance and such a sense of entitlement," he said.
Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten said the March 23 election was a contest of values with Labor pledging to put people first.
He described Mr Daley as a "great bloke" who will always stand up for people.
"He is a man who loves his family and loves the community and genuinely cares about helping people," Mr Shorten said on Sunday.
The launch was attended by former Labor foreign affairs minister Bob Carr who was NSW premier between 1995 and 2005 and the state's first female premier turned senator Kristina Keneally.
Australian Associated Press
