SFP Tasmania says the budget reads like a pre-election spend

It’s easy for the Liberal government to spend big, especially when they could be facing a loss at the next election.

After several years of cost cutting is this budget just a recognition that in previous years they got it wrong?

The backbone of our state economy is based on rural communities and small business. There seems very little for them to celebrate in the budget. They have been left out.

The budget assumes ongoing downward pressure on public servant wages, at no more than 2 per cent over the forward estimates, which is unrealistic.

While SFP Tasmania does acknowledge some positives, such as $9M for a much needed second police rescue helicopter, the budget fails to adequately address the limited resources such as police on the ground in regional and remote communities. While the increased health budget allocation is a step in the right direction, it still seems to be missing a significant allocation to rural and remote areas.

SFP Tasmania acknowledges an increase in funding for biosecurity but believes it does not go far enough. We are an island and our border biosecurity should not be taken lightly. SFP Tasmania encourages a push for increased resourcing of our ports and airports to counter this ever-present threat. Measures should include more sniffer dogs and compulsory vehicle wash bays.

SFP Tasmania also welcomes the additional $9m towards tourism and hopes that some of these funds will be allocated to promoting outdoor tourism such as trout fishing, 4wd, camping and hunting tourism.

For example, the Fly Fishing World Championships are scheduled to be held in Tasmania in 2018.

• SFP Tasmania aims to stimulate regional and rural businesses by promoting all outdoor recreational activities in a responsible manner.
• SFP Tasmania will push for improved rural tourism infrastructure, roads etc to promote access to our wild places and rural communities.
• SFP Tasmania will vigorously protect your right to enjoy the outdoor way of life, now and for future generations.
• SFP Tasmania vows to protect the environment through education and strong, properly enforced biosecurity measures for all aquaculture and agriculture industries, big or small.
• SFP Tasmania is steadfast in its resolve to ensure that rural communities have access to tailored and properly resourced community, emergency and local health services specific to their needs.
• SFP Tasmania is committed to supporting properly resourced wildlife and marine management agencies with powers to enforce environmental laws which ensure our flora, fauna and aquatic environments are managed in a sustainable manner based on science and not emotion.
Adrian Pickin Press Liaison Officer Shooters & Fishers Party, Tas.