Standing Up for Tasmanian Businesses

The Hodgman Liberal Government is determined that the State receives the full benefits of the extended Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.

This Government is alarmed at reports the newly-elected Victorian Labor Government is planning to pump-prime Port of Melbourne port fees and charges to maximise its sale prices.

We make very clear that it is the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme that is designed to address the disadvantages faced by Tasmanian businesses and industries, and we will not stand by and see one red cent flow to Victoria.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green should get on the phone to his Labor colleague, Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, and tell him to back off.

For my part, I will be meeting with the Victorian Minister for Ports, Luke Donnellan, early next month to express this Government’s deep concerns.

We will seek a guarantee that the Victorian Government will not seek to unfairly profit from the hard-won gains of struggling Tasmanian businesses.

The Liberal Government is standing up for Tasmania; will Labor?
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure