The Tasmanian Premier, Will Hodgman, must join his NSW and Victorian counterparts and stand up against the impact the cruel and devastating Federal budget will have on Tasmania’s vulnerable, access to health and education services, and the state’s economic future, Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today.
Mr Booth also criticised the Tasmanian Federal Liberal representatives for breaking the election promise to find a solution to Bass Strait freight and transportation issues, condemning the combined cut of $28.9 million to these schemes as a blatant broken promise.
“Where is Will Hodgman? We are seeing his Liberal state counterparts in NSW and Victoria voicing their concerns over the federal budget’s cost shifting on health and education, and strongly criticising the impact that the GP co-payment will have on state hospital emergency departments, but Tasmania’s Premier is nowhere to be seen,” Mr Booth said.
“This brutal budget attacks those in our community who can least afford it.”
“The Federal Treasurer’s touted ‘age of opportunity’ can only exist in conjunction with an age of fairness and equity.”
“Vulnerable Tasmanians, our sick, elderly and the poor struggling to access health services or keep a roof over their head, will now be needing additional help to close the gap.”
“The slashed federal health funding will hit hard our already struggling public hospital system, threatening the fundamental principal of equitable access to affordable health services.”
“Education is the key to Tasmania’s economic transition and ability to build a robust economy, and the abandoning of the Gonski funding for our schools is unfathomable and unforgiveable.”
“Where is the apology and explanation from Tasmania’s so-called Federal Liberal representatives for the combined cut of $28.9 million to the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme and the Freight Equalisation Scheme? This is a blatant broken election promise, and one which will impact on our local economic drivers including the tourism sector, exporters and consumers.”
“We are also seeing further exposed the Liberal’s myopic divisive and anti-environmental ideology through this budget. No mention of climate change, and further cuts of $4 million over three years to the Forest Reserve tourism component of the TFA implementation Package.”
“This double-standard of handing out money to timber industry while slashing forest reserves and support funding will only entrench community divisions.”
“After this brutal budget betrayal by the Federal Liberal government, Tasmanians will be watching the Hodgman government’s response very closely.”
“The ice is now on Will Hodgman to explain how the State Liberals intend to still meet their election spending promises, in light of the Federal budget’s cost shifting and the $50 million per year decrease in the state’s expected GST receipts,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
