Successful economic stimulus program to be rolled out across the State as part of upcoming budget

Jobs are the Hodgman Government’s number one priority and this year’s budget will feature a significant economic stimulus.
Last year, the Government trialled a loans scheme for councils in the North and North West of Tasmania. The scheme enabled councils to bring forward planned infrastructure projects by up to five years.
More than $47 million for 45 projects has been approved, with one project awaiting final approval. Projects funded so far include road projects, sports ground upgrades and new community infrastructure for communities across the North and North West.
The trial generated enormous interest from councils around Tasmania and today I can announce that as part of the upcoming Budget, the loan scheme will be rolled out across the State.
Up to $60 million in loans will be made available to all councils right around the State.
This new scheme is expected to create up to 800 new jobs, many in regional areas of Tasmania, where they are needed the most. In the long-term, the scheme will deliver infrastructure upgrades right around the State that will provide ongoing benefits to the community.
We are able to deliver job-creating initiatives like this because we have balanced the budget.
Under Labor and the Greens, the budget was a mess with cumulative deficits of $1.1 billion and net debt rising to $400 million, the unemployment rate spiked at 8.1 per cent and the economy went into recession. Since the election, we have delivered the first budget surplus since 2009, helped create more than 5,000 jobs and have the economy growing at the fastest rate in six years.
I look forward to working with local councils to create more jobs and boost the economy.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer