Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Waste Watch Anthony Roberts said today the funds wasted on hiring three more government spin doctors for the Natural Resources Department would be far better going towards extra mental health officers in rural and regional NSW.

"Heading into Christmas and with the drought biting even harder, the Iemma-Costa Labor Government should be directing resources into helping farmers and country NSW, not wasting it on spin doctors whose sole aim is to get the government re-elected," Mr Roberts said.

"This is about priorities and the Iemma-Costa Labor Government is always focused on re-election instead of what's best for the people of NSW," he said.

"Instead of trying to address the problems in the Department of Natural Resources, such as the demonising of farmers with Labor's draconian native vegetation laws, Morris Iemma just attempts to spin his way out of trouble.

"Fortunately, after 12 years, the people of NSW can see straight through it.

"Nevertheless, Morris Iemma and Ian Macdonald are adding to their spin machine with three media jobs worth over $275,000:

Media Manager - $112,390

• Public Relations and Media Officer - $81,591
• Catchment Officer Community Relations and Media Liaison - $81,591

"Labor has returned to form – if you can't win the argument on its merits, win it on the spin.

"The Iemma-Costa Labor Government is only ever concerned about fixing the headlines, not the problem. Labor's had long enough – the time for excuses is over.

"NSW deserves higher standards, better services and balanced budgets," he said.