The Liberal Government is committed to working constructively with the Federal Government to get good outcomes for Tasmania, and this is paying off with an additional quarter of a billion dollars invested in our state.
Over the past month the Federal Government has committed to two game-changing investments; $60 million for the five tranche 2 irrigation schemes, and $203 million to extend the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.
The Federal Government’s investment in irrigation, together with $30 million from the State Government and $27 million in private sector investment, will transform the landscape of agriculture in Tasmania.
Agriculture is one of our state’s competitive strengths and this investment will strengthen our regional communities and create hundreds of new jobs on farms and in our country towns.
The second game-changer, the investment in expanding the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, will give the state’s economy a massive boost.
We have long advocated an extension of the scheme, including from Opposition when we made a submission to the Productivity Commission inquiry.
Expanding the TFES and our irrigation networks have also been priority agenda items for the Joint Tasmanian Economic Council, which is chaired by Dale Elphinstone and includes other eminent Tasmanians from the private sector who support this collaborative approach.
My government will continue to work hard to get the best results for our state and we are prepared to be judged by results. The significant outcomes that have recently been secured are classic examples of what can be achieved by working constructively and effectively with the Federal Government.
Will Hodgman, Premier
