Funding for libraries
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Letters to the editor should be no more than 250 words and may be edited for clarity or legal reasons. For our records, please include your name and contact details, including a daytime phone number. The writer’s name, title and/or town will be included unless specifically requested otherwise. The Editor,
Regarding Greg Smart’s opinion column “Cricket – It’s business as usual at Australia’s national sport” [Dubbo Photo News, April 5]:
Well said, Mr Smart. An avid player and follower in my long-ago youth, I stopped paying attention when Australian Cricket became (as you say) a Big Business, all about the money – and winning.
Boorish behaviour by players onfield, and even worse off, together with the normalisation of sledging, have kept me away.
And I don’t miss it.
HK Whitton via email The Editor
NSW Labor believes that libraries are at the heart of our communities. They help promote lifelong learning; provide free access to information, and are ‘hubs’ for people to meet and engage.
Labor has had a long association with libraries in NSW. In 1943, as World War II raged, Labor Premier Bill Mckell proclaimed the financial provisions at the opening of the new Public Library of NSW building to set up our state’s great library system.
Building on that fine tradition, last month, NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley announced that a State Labor Government will double State funding for our public libraries if elected in March 2019.
This is because under the NSW Liberals and Nationals, there has been no real increase in ongoing funding for public libraries and these vital institutions have been neglected. It has remained at $1.85 per capita since 2011.
In its first term, NSW Labor will double this to $3.70 per capita.
NSW Labor will ensure that this new per capita subsidy of $3.70 maintains its real value into the future by linking it to the Consumer Price Index.
In addition, Labor will create a $25 million Public Library Infrastructure Fund for public libraries to upgrade their facilities or purchase new equipment.
Peter Primrose MLC, Shadow Minister for Local Government
Walt Secord MLC, Shadow Minister for the Arts