The Liberal Party has vowed to continue to cut Tasmania’s public service if it wins the next state election.
The Opposition leader, Will Hodgman, has delivered his budget reply speech in Parliament.
Earlier today he took the unusual step of outlining his alternative budget to a business function.
Mr Hodgman said he would return the state budget to surplus a year earlier than the Government and make $500 million in cuts to decrease the size of the state’s deficit.
He has announced plans to axe another 500 full-time public service jobs over the next two years to save $155 million.
Mr Hodgman has ruled out forced redundancies but says the cull is essential to get the budget under control.
It will help allow the Liberals to spend more, including promising $33 million to establish an international shipping link for exporters.
A plan to amalgamate the Infrastructure and Economic Development departments will save $20 million.
The savings figure does not include the jobs that will go as a result of the merger.
The Liberals are also proposing to increase fines by $3 million a year to help return the budget back to surplus by 2016.
Mr Hodgman is backing the Government’s payroll tax relief for business but is promising to spend more on health and education if he wins the election.
The Liberals would employ 100 new teachers to extend all high schools to year 11 and 12.
