Peter Gutwein: Rate Relief for Tasmanians in Need

The Liberal Government is getting on with the job of fixing Tasmania’s budget while ensuring the vulnerable are protected.

We are committed to working through our own budget process to deliver a State Budget that minimises the impact of the Federal Labor Green budget black-hole on vulnerable Tasmanians.

That’s why I can confirm that the Liberal Government will continue to subsidise council rates for those on a concession for 2014-15.

The State Government provides more than $15 million annually to reduce the rates faced by eligible concession ratepayers, delivering an average reduction of about $400 per year.

Last week I wrote to Local Governments confirming the Liberal Government would continue to fund rate remissions next financial year.

This is despite the Federal Government taking $8.9 million out of the amount they provide us for concession payments.

Our decision not only avoids any unexpected shock for pensioners, but provides certainty to councils as they frame their 2014-15 budgets.

The financial legacy of the Labor Green governments at a state and federal level has been catastrophic.

The Tasmanian Labor Green Government left a $1.1 billion budget black hole, adding to a $2.1 billion hit from their federal counterparts.

The Liberal Government is committed to fixing the budget mess and we are getting on with just that.

I can assure Tasmanians the State Budget is not a budget to be afraid of. We won’t hurt the vulnerable.

We are taking a careful and considered approach and that’s why it was important to defer the budget until August 28.

There will be some tough decisions, but this will not be a slash and burn budget. The State Budget will deliver our plan and keep our promises.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer