The Governor’s Speech

FIRST SESSION OF THE FORTY-SEVENTH PARLIAMENT OF TASMANIA

Mr President and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council, Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly.
I welcome you to the first session of the Forty-Seventh Parliament of Tasmania.

The 2010 State election result was an important one for Tasmania. It has brought new representatives to the Parliament from all parties, but also new approaches to governance.

Following the declaration of the poll on 7 April, the composition of the House of Assembly was such that no one party could command a majority on the floor of the House.

As the Premier was still the holder of the commission to govern, and no other party was in a position to form a stable government, I informed the Premier that he had a constitutional obligation to form a government so that the Parliament could be called together and the strength of that government could be tested on the floor of the House.

The Government demonstrated its viability with the defeat of a no-confidence motion on the floor of the House on 5 May 2010.

The people of Tasmania have demanded a new collaborative way forward – one which will enable my Government to continue to build the State’s economy, meet the needs of the Tasmanian people and enhance and protect our precious environment.

There are opportunities and challenges facing the State in the years ahead and it is essential that we have a stable Government.

To achieve what Tasmanians want for their State, this new collaborative Government is taking a bold but vital step forward. There is much to do in the coming years.

This Government will be guided by important core values that will see Tasmania continue to develop as a socially just, economically progressive and environmentally sustainable society.

Tasmanians have made it known that they expect the State to be governed in a manner that is characterised by trust and respect for others.

They wish to see Tasmania and its people flourish as a result of the productive relationships formed in the House.

That means striving for equal opportunities for all members of the community, being inclusive and strengthening community connections whenever possible.

That also means having a government that values accountability.

The Integrity Commission to commence this year will be critical to the restoration of confidence in our democracy and institutions.

The Commission will have strong investigative powers, and will provide education and advisory services so that Tasmanians can be confident that public sector institutions are performing according to the highest ethical standards.

The Government will focus on the creation of jobs, the development of a quality health system and the provision of a good education for all Tasmanians.

My Government will work hard to deliver on these commitments.

Mr President and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council,
Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

Last year, the global financial crisis cut a swathe through national economies and drove up unemployment throughout the developed world.

My Government took prudent steps to tighten our belts, and made some difficult choices necessary to protect Tasmania against that financial maelstrom.

As a result Tasmania’s economy has shown a new strength and is emerging from the downturn in a better position than ever before.

My Government will work to ensure that the economy is diverse; supporting traditional industries while encouraging new industry.

Continued economic growth is necessary to provide the jobs that Tasmanians need.

During the global financial crisis, my Government did all it could for every Tasmanian to try to protect existing jobs, create new jobs and foster opportunities for Tasmanian children.

Recent events in Europe have demonstrated that there are still difficult economic times to come. My Government must prepare for these times.

The Government has wiped-out general government net debt and delivered Tasmania’s first ever AAA credit rating from international credit rating agency Moodys.

In addition, from being the second highest taxing State in the country, Tasmania is now the State with the second lowest rate of taxation.

The Government is committed to continuing essential financial management reform.

Over the past decade significant action has been taken to improve the quality and quantity of the financial information available to the public from both the general Government sector and Government businesses.

This process will continue with a review of the current Public Account Act and Financial Management and Audit Act ensuring that the Tasmanian public sector operates within the most contemporary and best practice financial management framework available in Australia.

Through the Economic Development Strategy, my Government will do all it can to ensure Tasmania’s economy remains competitive.

In 2009, Tasmania achieved the lowest unemployment rate in Australia.

But we know that the impact of the global financial crisis has seen jobs lost in Tasmania.

My Government has set a challenging target of the creation of 15,000 new jobs over the next term of the present Government.

My Government will work with the private sector to support the security of Tasmanian jobs.

In spite of the challenges, business remains confident about the future.

In the three months to the end of April this year, 2,700 new jobs have been created and employment growth was equal to the highest in the nation.

Every unemployed Tasmanian is a person who deserves and needs an opportunity, and my Government will keep working to provide them with that opportunity.

My Government will focus on three core strategies of infrastructure, innovation and education which will be vital to achieve our target of 15,000 new jobs.

The implementation of the Infrastructure Strategy will be a high priority for this Government.

Over the next decade it will lay the groundwork for the future economic prosperity for the State. For example, new irrigation schemes will enable further development of the “paddock to plate” strategy.

Improvements to passenger transport will also be a key focus for my Government.

Passenger transport should be affordable, flexible and convenient and my Government will continue to pursue improvements like the Kingston “Park and Ride” and more bus services.

Improving the State’s productivity will be critical for economic growth.

My Government will be innovative in the development of Tasmania’s economy.

The establishment of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology will enable the Government to focus on five sectors of the State’s economy which have the capacity for innovation and growth.

With 70% of our energy already renewable, we have a clean, renewable energy advantage and can lead the world in this area.

As the first State to have a National Broadband Network, Tasmania will have a unique opportunity to test and exploit innovative services and business models in the emerging digital economy.

Tasmania can be a leader in innovation, science, research and creativity. For example, Tasmania has the potential to lead in the arts.

To achieve this, my Government will continue to promote the State as a vibrant arts community, where the visual and performing arts can flourish and achieve international recognition.

My Government will further exploit Tasmania’s potential as a tourist destination.

Over one million visitors came to the State in 2009.

This was a historic milestone, but the global and domestic tourism marketplace is dynamic and ever-changing.

The Government is listening to the tourism industry and will continue to support this important part of our economy.

Additional marketing will stimulate demand for the tourism experiences that Tasmania has to offer.

The inaugural $3 million winter tourism campaign, Lumina – A Winter of Festivals demonstrates how great events and festivals can be attracted to the State throughout the year.

The Government’s investment will go even further through the strong tourism industry partnerships that have been established.

Agriculture in Tasmania involves many businesses, employs over 20,000 people and is worth about $1 billion a year at the farm-gate.

Tasmania’s farm produce has the reputation of matching the best in the world.

To stay ahead of the challenges of globalisation and a changing climate, my Government will harness Tasmania’s abundant natural resources to increase the State’s production of high-value food and other agricultural products.

My Government is working with the forest industry and environmental groups to create sustainable jobs in forestry.

My Government will support small business to start up and to thrive.

My Government recognises the hard work undertaken by the thousands of people employed in Tasmania’s hospitality sector and we will support growth and development in this sector.

We will make Tasmanian workplaces safer by ensuring that we have the strongest legislative frameworks and that workplace standards are implemented and maintained.

This year, legislation will be enacted to enable people injured at work to live with dignity and to provide mechanisms that support their return to work.

Our economy also needs to grow in a sustainable way so that the wonderful Tasmanian lifestyle can be protected.

Climate change has been described as the greatest public policy challenge of our era.

Climate change in the form of changed rainfall patterns and altered climatic conditions has the potential to have a significant impact on Tasmania

My Government is committed to taking action to reduce Tasmania’s vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

We will work towards the implementation of a robust planning system that minimises the negative consequences of climate change for infrastructure and primary industries.

To this end, my Government has established a new ministry of Sustainable Transport and Alternative Energy and linked that with the Climate Change Ministry.
The Government will continue to engage with interested parties across a range of environmental and parks issues.

This will include working closely with the traditional owners of the land as well as taking steps to ensure that heritage values are preserved.

Mr President and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council,
Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

Education is central to everything this Government hopes to achieve for Tasmania.

We need an education system that will give every Tasmanian child the opportunity to fulfil his or her potential.

To achieve this, we will continue to fund education to record levels.

My Government will continue to build on the foundations we have put in place for the future.

That means investing in early years’ education, literacy and numeracy, improving post-year 10 qualifications and training, and increasing opportunities for second chance learning for adults.

Communities will welcome the completion of Kingston High School, the new schools and learning opportunities made possible through the Glenorchy, Burnie and Bridgewater Schools Projects and other new educational infrastructure.

My Government will also be supporting alternative education and other anti-bullying programs to assist all children in their learning by making sure schools are safe and secure places.

My Government will implement the Tasmanian Adult Literacy Plan to improve adult literacy in the State.

Opportunities for post-year 10 qualifications and training for Tasmanians of all ages need to improve and my Government will work diligently to address challenges that remain with post-year 10 reforms.

My Government needs to provide clarity and certainty in this area and its actions will be in the best interests of students and Tasmania’s future prosperity.

My Government will work closely with the Australian Government to provide better health care for all Tasmanians.

Through Tasmania’s State Health Plan and the Federal Government’s health and hospital reforms, critical investments will be made that will build and strengthen Tasmania’s existing Area Health Services so that Tasmanians will have better access to GPs, and primary health care, within their communities.

These reforms will also result in improved hospitals and more doctors, nurses and health professionals within the health system.

My Government’s plan to reduce elective surgery waiting lists will result in Tasmanians receiving better and faster access to high quality care.

In recognition of the State’s ageing population and projected increase in rates of cancer, my Government will improve care for patients with cancer from all regions of the State by implementing the $48 million State-Commonwealth program over the next four years.

My Government will also introduce important preventive health policies to encourage more Tasmanians to improve their overall health and sense of wellbeing by adopting healthy lifestyles and eating habits.

My Government will improve facilities, education, coaching and access to the State’s sport and recreation sector. This will help Tasmanians appreciate the benefits of an active lifestyle.

Mr President and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council,
Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

It is vital that Tasmania Police is a well resourced and highly skilled organisation.

My Government is strengthening the Tasmania Police Service with 30 additional police officers to start training in July 2010.

We all travel on Tasmania’s roads and have a collective responsibility for keeping the roads safe.

My Government will continue to implement reforms through the comprehensive 10 year evidence-based road safety strategy that will improve road safety and protect lives.

My Government will act to improve the lives of Tasmania’s most vulnerable people.

Older Tasmanians will be protected from abuse by the development and implementation of an elder abuse prevention strategy designed to prevent physical, emotional or financial abuse of vulnerable older people.

My Government will continue to improve services for people with a disability and their families, and improve access to specialised technology and equipment.

We will also work with multi-cultural groups to address issues of housing discrimination and assist new migrants to seek jobs.

My Government will continue to invest Federal and State funding to increase the supply of affordable housing to halve the number of Tasmanians who are homeless.

The Government will also continue to implement reforms suggested in the Breaking the Cycle Corrections report especially those concerning rehabilitation to reduce the rate of re-offending.

This will involve a greater focus on home and periodic detention with the aim of keeping families together and functional, and reducing pressure on other arms of government.

Tasmanians have entrusted the Government with a responsibility to manage the State well and the Premier leads a team that will work diligently to discharge their duty.

Tasmanians can be very optimistic about the future and the great things that are possible for our State.

Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

During this Parliament Bills will be introduced to provide for expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for each financial year.

Mr President and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council,
Mr Speaker and Members of the House of Assembly:

I leave you now to discharge your important duties and trust that divine providence will guide your deliberations and further the true welfare of the people of Tasmania.