Federal Member for Bass Ross Hart MP today welcomed Prime Minister Turnbull’s signing of the memorandum of understanding with the University of Tasmania and state government to progress a redevelopment of the Inveresk Campus.
“I am thrilled that the Prime Minister has finally confirmed the funding for the UTas transformation project, despite the late commitment to the project in the election campaign”.
“A positive future for Bass is dependent on improving the educational standards of Tasmania that is why we identified the importance of funding the University’s proposal to relocate the northern campus as a key part of our positive plan for jobs, education and health for the people of Bass”, Mr Hart said.
“If the Liberals understood the importance of this critical project they would have funded it in the budget, not eight days from an election”.
Mr Hart said that it is clear that the Liberals had no plan for northern Tasmania and are now playing catch up.
“Our plan for Bass has a comprehensive jobs component, centred around the UTas project but also funding other critical infrastructure – the Tamar River Sewerage Improvement Plan. I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to working in a cooperative manner with state and local governments on important infrastructure investments”.
Mr Hart said that Prime Minister Turnbull was correct in saying that the Federal and State governments have ‘tended to pass like ships in the night’ when it comes to the co-ordination of major investment in Tasmania, to the detriment of our local communities.
“The Prime Minister would be well advised to listen to TasWater and other local advocates in northern Tasmania who insist that the Tamar River Sewerage Improvement Plan cannot be delayed for a further election cycle”, Mr Hart said.
“The Prime Minister needs to commit to funding this critical infrastructure now, rather than dragging his feet and placing the burden on the rate payers of Tasmania.”
ROSS HART FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS
