Employment Submission to the Premier for consideration with the Prime Minister

Employment Submission to the Premier for consideration with the Prime Minister (sent Fri 12 July 2013)

Preamble:

There are a number of programs (eg Bass Strait equalization or the Forestry IGA) that can be implemented but most will take years to flow through the Tasmanian economy. A more immediate initiative would be to provide employment for Tasmania’s youth integrated with the education sector.

I have no personal interest in any of the subsequent proposals.

Concept Proposal for an Aged Retirement Centre of Expertise:

In the same manner as the NDIS is to be centred in Geelong, the Federal Government can invest Commonwealth programs in Tasmania. Such programs may be funded by Defence (shipbuilding) or Immigration-Customs (Pontville) but this proposal will use Australia’s aging population as its foundation.

The federal government could consolidate retirement functions from several departments such as taxation (superannuation, termination payments), Centrelink (aged pensions), veterans’ affairs and aged care. The Hobart ATO already has a significant workforce in the area of superannuation. This amalgamation would provide:

1. A national service centre (call centre)

2. Quality technical, review and policy advice

3. Development of systems and Information Technology

4. Risk Identification and Compliance including growth trends for future budgets

5. Tertiary education could be geared to support the necessary standards.

Concept Proposal for Education Support:

An immediate response would be required of the University of Tasmania in the implementation of suitable technical courses and placements to support an Aged Retirement Centre of Expertise. Socially, this would provide an incentive for Tasmania’s youth to attain Year 12 qualifications with potential employment.

There is also an opportunity for Tasmania to pilot a Regional Secondary Education Program utilizing the NBN and telecommunications. The concept involves:

1. The Department of Education with the University of Tasmania to co-develop a series of lectures aligned to the syllabus for transmission to all Tasmanian schools. This will provide consistency of subjects and learning where local teachers then provide supporting tutorials.

2. An emphasis could initially be placed on mathematics and science as these subjects historically suffer from poor teaching standards.

3. This product would have application to other regional areas across Australia and potentially the greater Asian region.

Benefits:

In the past, Federal governments have provided economic stimuli to Adelaide, Brisbane and Perth through APS employment programs during times of downturn or opportunity.

Tasmania has not proportionally received the same benefit. Mega-departments like the ATO and Centrelink are well geared to share significant functions, as Centrelink did with its IT function to Adelaide.

A five-year plan could deliver between 1,000 and 2,000 direct jobs if the political desire is there. Benefits might include:

1. For every 1,000 jobs it is estimated $40 million would be injected into the Tasmanian economy (average disposable income at $40,000)

2. The education sector could marginally grow or, at least, be better utilized.

3. Supporting businesses to grow would touch retail, construction and hospitality.

4. Tasmania’s aging demographic might be halted and some population growth (immigration) could be expected.

5. The NBN would be utilized.

6. Hobart CBD development could also eventuate.

The Australian Public Service is undergoing significant reform at present due to its aging workforce. Consolidating some functions in regional centres in places like Tasmania will not cost the Federal government any more dollars and Tasmania will take a step towards real self sufficiency instead of Tasmania relying on fixed grants for health, forestry and regional development.

In the past few days these two news items have come to the fore:

Top scientist calls for change to get students interested in science and maths

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-07-27/call-for-changes-to-science-teaching-to-boost-graduate-numbers/4847334

ABC On-line news:

Last night, Mr Abbott faced questions about his broadband plan.

Mr Abbott rejected suggestions the state would lose its competitive advantage under his alternative high speed internet plan.

Tasmania’s set to become the first jurisdiction to be connected to Labor’s National Broadband Network.

Mr Abbott says the rollout of his plan will be quicker and cheaper.

“It will take 80 years before the whole of Tasmania has broadband rolled out under this government,” he said.

The leader also gave assurances that no Tasmanian school would be worse off financially under his alternative to the government’s Gonksi or Better Schools funding plan.

But he did not articulate how a Coalition Government would improve education standards.

Mr Abbott also told the audience he would consider moving a federal government department to Tasmania.

“It’s got to be done sensibly and frankly,” he said.

“I think it should be done in the context of a modest but meaningful reduction in total Commonwealth public sector employment, but nevertheless yes we are only too happy to look at proposals such as this.”