Following Tuesday’s announcement, Country Labor and Shooters Fishers and Farmers Upper Hunter candidates, Martin Rush and John Preston respectively, were critical of the outcome, especially for the local region.

Mr Rush said residents in Muswellbrook and Singleton had every right to feel disappointed, while Mr Preston described it as a “super-sized snub to the Upper Hunter”, particularly on roads and infrastructure.

But, Mr Johnsen believes the budget will benefit the people of the Upper Hunter, both directly and through broader funding to the state.

“Much of what was announced was confirmation of previously announced funding, coming from such programs as the Resource for Regions and the Fixing Country Roads, and which represents more than $160m in Restart NSW funding programs for our electorate,” he said.

“This is a service delivery budget that aims to ease the pressure on individuals and families, to strength and provide for businesses, and offer new opportunities for the rural and regional NSW, and the wider state.

“As such there are a series of announcements that will benefit the public all across our state.”

These include:

* $6 billion over four years for 170 new and upgraded schools, including  $500 million to air-condition up to 1,000 public schools in 2018-19, and provision for employing about 900 science and maths teachers;

* $285 million skills and training package which will also enable 100,000 fee-free apprenticeships;

* Caravan registrations are to be cut by 40 per cent, benefitting travellers and retirees;

* A record 750 new paramedics as part of $1 billion funding for ambulance services;

* Subsidies will be extended to all three year olds who are enrolled in a community preschool;

* $18.5 million will be allocated to recruit up to 253 additional frontline Tafe teachers to meet increased demand for trade qualifications across the State;

* $632.3 million for national parks and to encourage tourism;

* $3.75 million to support an 1,000 student places in the Clontarf Foundation;

* $315 million for the NSW Government Road Safety Program.

* $84 million for the New England Highway including the Scone bypass.

“Locally, we have specifically seen budget measures for $3.5 million for the Muswellbrook District Hospital Upgrade Redevelopment, $12.5 million for social housing building and upgrades, and $3.4 million for water monitoring,” Mr Johnsen said.

“Upper Hunter will also benefit from $5 million budgeted for the Rural Health Infrastructure Program, which will see upgrades and refurbishments for Scone, Gloucester and Dungog hospitals in areas such as emergency departments, bathrooms, waiting areas, wards and treatment spaces at smaller rural hospitals.

“In regards to the Muswellbrook District Hospital, and Stage 3 of its redevelopment, Hunter New England Health is working on the plans now, so we know how much funding is actually required.

“The government has also further enhanced the highly-successful Service NSW Centres with two new initiatives designed specifically to allow individuals and families with cost of living, including a “one-click energy switch”, which allow consumer to find and switch to the best energy deals in the market, and a new cost-of-living service, which is a one-stop-shop available online or over-the-phone, to promote easy access to available rebates and concessions across government. 

“Our track record of responsible spending, combined with progressive economic policies for the state, has allowed for the delivery of what is already being termed ‘the people’s budget’.

“And, I am sure the Upper Hunter electorate will strongly welcome it.”