Premier Hodgman confirmed in Question Time today that his government is reconsidering its ill-judged decision to abolish the Tasmanian Community Fund Board, Greens’ Community Development spokesperson, Cassy O’Connor MP said today.
“The Premier stated very clearly in Budget Estimates this year that the government had decided to abolish the independent Board which disburses around $6million a year to worthwhile community projects around the state.”
“An independent board is what stands in the way of a government pork barrelling their way to the next election.”
“The RTI response that I received clearly stated that that no decision had been made in relation to the future Tasmanian Community Fund’s board.”
“It was a sheepish Premier that we saw today in Question Time, as he hinted to Tasmanians he had made the wrong call in seeking to remove the independence of the Tasmanian Community Fund.”
“This has the potential to be very good news for community groups across Tasmania, who viewed the government’s original decision with enormous scepticism and concern and who communicated that concern directly to his office.”
“I urge Premier Hodgman to put his political agenda aside and reverse the decision to disburse the $6million annual fund through his own Department, as many community groups have begged him to do,” Ms O’Connor said.
** Hansard, Budget Estimates 2014
“Mr HODGMAN – Each year the Tasmanian Community Fund is provided with an appropriation of around $6 million indexed at CPI. The appropriation is not subject to the budget process. The Government has decided to abolish the Tasmanian Community Fund board that currently administers the funding and return the funds used to support the board to the community. I cannot believe you are opposed to this.
Ms O’CONNOR – I can’t believe you proposed it.”
Download:
Nov6_SIGNED_-_RTI_Decision_Letter_-_Cassy_OConnor_re_Tas_Community_Fund_Board__C_OConnor_ATTACH.pdf
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Community Development spokesperson
