Peter Gutwein: Labor’s FTEs Cover-Up

The Liberal Government is committed to fixing the budget mess left by Labor and the Greens.

Their legacy is one of budget mismanagement and cover-ups which failed Tasmanians.

In the 2011-12 budget, the Labor Green Government announced a budget savings target equivalent to the reduction of approximately 1700 Full-Time Equivalents by 2014-15.

But from June 2011 to February 2014, Treasury estimates there was a net reduction of less than 700 FTEs, allowing for seasonal fluctuations in education.

What we are left with is a savings target in excess of 1000 FTEs – just to reach Labor and the Greens’ disgraceful budget outcome of $1.1 billion in cumulative deficits over the forward estimates, with net debt projected to be over $400 million.

Labor hid these skeletons. They were not upfront with Tasmanians and the full extent of Labor’s cover-up only became clear after the election.

The Liberal Government is working through the consequences of this unfortunate legacy left by Labor and the Greens, starting with improving the budget bottom line by $100 million as detailed during the election.

The task has been made harder with potential changes in the Federal Budget, but the Liberal Government was voted in to fix the mess and get Tasmania back on track and that is what we are doing.

The Liberal Government’s plan for Tasmania is now more important than ever. Our plan will take the state off the dark path Labor and the Greens had us on and deliver a brighter future for all Tasmanians.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer