State of the State

Greens Leader’s State of the State speech announces:

• Cost of Living Portfolio
• Casinos to Contribute to CSL
• Professionalising Public Sector
• Green Economic Transition Focus
• Democracy Package

The Tasmanian Greens today announced that they will move in this session of Parliament to remove the exemption on the State’s casinos from paying gaming revenue contribution to the Community Support Levy as pubs and clubs are required to do.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP, who delivered his State of the State speech today, also outlined the Greens’ vision for the upcoming Parliamentary year, which will continue to focus on Cost of Living, pursuing a Green Economy, Professionalising the public sector as a key plank in preparing for the State Budget, as well as detailing the strengthening Democracy package.

“The power-sharing Parliament provides an opportunity for all parties to deliver good progressive policy, and the Greens have a positive agenda we shall be prosecuting both on the floor of the House and through our ministries which on behalf of the Greens I was proud to articulate during my Address in Reply to the Premier’s Speech,” Mr McKim said.

“While tough times do call for tough decisions, the Greens are determined to ensure that responsible decisions are made and that the vulnerable in our community area not left behind.”

Key planks of the Greens’ plan as outlined by Mr McKim include:

Cost of Living Focus to Continue
• Announced move to establish an ongoing Standing Parliamentary Committee on Cost of Living
• Announced Deputy Leader Tim Morris MP is Greens designated Cost of Living spokesperson
Casinos to Contribute to Community Support Levy
• Legislate to amend the Gaming Control Act 1993 to require casinos. to contribute four per cent of their gaming revenue to the Community Support Fund. At present, casinos are exempt from contributing to the Community Support Levy, while pub and club pokies venues are required to contribute.
• Additional revenue from this measure will be specifically available for important gaming harm minimization programs, and as such is a key public policy initiative.
State Budget – Professionalising the Public Sector
• Develop a plan in consultation with stakeholders to prioritise cost-saving measures which will professionalise and modernise the public sector and improve its productivity
• Streamline individual departmental IT, HR and pay-roll units
• Investigate secondment program between the public and private sectors, to maintain workers skill development, and skill availability
Transition to a Green Economy
• Prioritise a strategic economic transition to a ‘Green Economy’, in which agriculture, low carbon industries including renewable energy, the arts, education will play a pivotal role.
• Maximise opportunities to differentiate the state in global markets.

Strengthening Democracy Package
• Ban donations from gaming, alcohol and tobacco companies
• Legislate for the immediate disclosure of state-based political donations
• Investigate state public funding of election campaigns, along with a cop on expenditure allowable by both candidates and registered political parties contesting House of Assembly elections
• Amend the state Electoral Act 2004 regarding the disclosure of third party political donations
• Legislate for Fixed Four year Terms for the House of Assembly
• Strengthen the state Lobbyist Register
• Retain focus on a Tasmanian Charter of Rights, and restoring MP numbers in the House of Assembly

“There are challenges ahead, however challenging times also present opportunities which must be seized through vision and opportunity. We Greens have our sleeves rolled up and are getting on with the job on behalf of the community,” Mr McKim said.

Thursday: Download Will Hodgman’s speech (just arrived);
State_of_the_State_Speech_2011.pdf