NSW Budget Estimates to Begin

Budget Estimates are a key process for government accountability and transparency. It provides opposition and crossbench members of the Legislative Council (Upper House) an opportunity to question, in detail, the decisions, actions and advice of ministers and public servants. 

Government members are also given a smaller time slot to propose questions to the government. 

Budget Estimates can often result in media attention, as ministers are put on the spot, often without any notice and quizzed by their political opponents. 

The questions must be relevant to the budget, but those questioning the ministers and their senior public servants are given wide latitude in their line of questioning. 

It is not uncommon for ministers to be asked questions that may not appear overly related to the budget, such as their personal disclosures and staffing arrangements, or to face other more political and less policy-related lines of questioning.

In NSW, all ministers, including the Premier and Treasurer, spend half a day appearing before the committees, while senior public servants spend a full day before the committee. 

The NSW Budget is generally delivered in June with Budget Estimates occurring in the second half of August and into early September. 

Departmental officials spend significant time and resources in preparing briefs for their respective ministers and senior officials in the lead up to these hearings. Additionally, as questions are taken on-notice, the department will be responding to the queries long after the hearing has concluded. 

Business and industry associations have a limited role in the Budget Estimates process, focusing on observing the line of questioning and ministers' answers to topics relevant to their industry. 

The ClubsNSW team will follow the estimates process and report back on any key messages related to our industry that arise from the process.

Estimates for the 2024-25 NSW Budget will occur from 27 August until 11 September. Supplementary hearings between 2 December and 11 December as required. 

2024-25 Budget Estimates Schedule for Club Industry Relevant Ministers:

Wednesday 28 August

Premier

Minister Steve Kamper (Sport, Small Business and Crown Lands)

Thursday 29 August

Treasurer

Friday 30 August

Minister Yasmin Catley (Police)

Wednesday 4 September

Minister Steve Whan (Skills and Tafe)

Friday 6 September

Minister John Graham (Arts, Music, Night-time Economy, Jobs and Tourism)

Minister David Harris (Gaming and Racing)

Wednesday 11 September

Minister Sophie Cotsis (Industrial Relations)

You can read more about the NSW Budget here.