Time for Hodgman to come clean on cuts

There will be no standing ovation for Will Hodgman when Parliament resumes tomorrow.

Instead of the applause and high fives of the Liberal Party conference, the Premier will have to explain which public services are going to be slashed.

Labor Leader Bryan Green today said there’s nowhere for Mr Hodgman to hide.

“The Premier must explain how he’s going to cut 861 jobs in eight and a half months – that’s more than 20 jobs a week,” Mr Green said.

“It’s not good enough for Mr Hodgman to duck and dodge straight forward questions.

“The Premier told Liberal Party members that he has a plan for Tasmania but his only plan is to sack workers at a time when Tasmania’s economic recovery is fragile, as demonstrated by last week’s jobs figures.

“The Premier needs to go back and negotiate an outcome with his workforce.

“This is a real test of Will Hodgman’s ability to show leadership.”

Mr Green also highlighted a big shift in the Premier’s language at the Liberal State Council.

“Before the election the Liberals were promising to act with urgency to ‘turn Tasmania around’, now it’s all ‘long term plans’ and ‘steady as she goes’,” Mr Green said.

“Will Hodgman’s admission that he’s not out to make headlines is a deflating message.

“Headlines are often made by bold leaders.

“The Premier seems to be conceding that his term in government will lack vision.

“This is very consistent with the Liberals’ highly managed media strategy, with behind the scenes ‘Government spokespeople’ calling the shots.

“They would rather say nothing than risk demonstrating even a scrap of leadership.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader