• Overdue response to Tasmania’s employment crisis lacks vision
• Government created the impression the package would be new money, new ideas
• 5000 jobs lost over the past 12 months
The Government’s overdue response to the employment crisis in Northern Tasmania is underwhelming and completely lacking in vision.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said the package had fallen well short of expectations.
“The Government gave Tasmanians the impression it was about to pump $100 million of new money into the northern economy,” Mr Green said.
“Instead we’ve got a grab bag of previously announced spending commitments and interest-free loans for local government.
“The North and North-West of Tasmania is entitled to feel ripped off.
“Where is the vision? Where is the intergenerational investments in infrastructure?
“There’s nothing to address Launceston’s water and sewerage infrastructure despite the critical need for upgrades.
“There are no ideas from outside the square, like Labor’s organic dairy strategy for the North East or a commitment to electric transport technology.
“Stimulus from spending on local government projects will be welcome but councils are already in strong financial positions.
“The Government has had a year to respond to declining jobs figures but has sat on its hands.
“We’ve seen 5000 jobs disappear across the state over the last 12 months and our participation rate is alarmingly low.
“The package announced today falls flat.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
