NSW Treasurer backs bigger share of coal royalties for Hunter region

New South Wales Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the Hunter region should receive a larger proportion of coal royalty revenue, arguing the area has been neglected for a decade. He highlighted that the Minns government has spent five times more on Hunter roads than the previous administration – AU$2.5 billion versus AU$400 million – and announced an additional AU$410 million in budget funding for projects such as Nelson Bay Road, Hillsborough Road and the Newcastle Inner City Bypass.

Mookhey noted that forecast royalty income for the coming year remains around AU$3 billion, but that recent declines in the US dollar have reduced royalty receipts in the last two budgets.