Another Election Round Up

Labor announced a ‘more flights’ initiative as part of their policy but the Liberals say they have just copied their plan. The new Spirits of Tasmania also come into play with Labor backing LNG rather than diesel.

Labor also made an announcement around streamlining approvals for major projects. The Bob Brown Foundation called it a plan to “back the big end of town and foreign billionaires to destroy Tasmania’s global reputation as an island proud of its natural beauty and environmental wellbeing.”

The Liberals announced more mental health support for the north-west, more prefabricated homes and better medical imaging for the east coast.

The TCCI is calling for a Commission of Inquiry into health, arguing that: “any credible pathway to budget sustainability must include a plan to make our $3.5 billion health spending more sustainable, targeted and effective – without reducing the quality or quantity of services Tasmanians rely on.”

The Greens promised to establish a taskforce to crackdown on real estate malpractice and rental breaches, following the lead of other states. They also reannounced their free public transport policy.

The general practitioners association RACGP called for multiparty support for the initiative of free meningococcal B vaccinations for at risk babies and toddlers.

A coalition of animal welfare advocates has issued a formal questionnaire to all Tasmanian political parties ahead of the July state election, demanding their position on ending public funding for greyhound racing.

Equality Tasmania called out Liberal candidate Julie Sladden as being “out of step with party policy on affirming care for transgender youth” and invited her to meet young trans Tasmanians, their parents and their doctors to learn about the value of such care.

Statements relating to these issues are reproduced below.

Featured image above: east coast mother Jessica McShane, 2.5 year old Elvi and 14 month old Hughey.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Tourism & Hospitality, 23 June 2025

More Flights under Labor – a Fresh Start for tourism

A Dean Winter Labor Government will give our tourism sector a fresh start by unlocking tens of thousands more seats on flights into Tasmania.

We will reform the aviation attraction fund, bringing in tens of thousands more tourists – and it will not cost the budget an extra cent.

Under the Liberals, the Aviation Attraction Fund has failed to add a single extra flight 15 months after it was announced.  As usual, they are all announcements and no delivery.

Labor will rescue the aviation fund so that it backs in more capacity along existing routes – making up for at least some of the thousands of lost passengers not being delivered by our new Spirits.  Tens of thousands more tourists, not one extra cent on the budget.

And after the failed Spirits of Tasmania project, there is no industry that needs a fresh start more than tourism.

A Labor Government I lead will have the Spirits home by Christmas.  Jeremy Rockliff will keep them hidden on the wrong side of the world as long as he can.

We will also work with the Federal Government to deliver the iconic projects the Liberals haven’t.  Tasmania lost its funding for Cradle Mountain’s cableway because Jeremy Rockliff’s government did not do its homework.  So we will work with industry to develop new funding plans for the Cradle Mountain Cableway; as well as the Freycinet Peninsula Masterplan and the Destination Derby Community Masterplan.

The Liberals went to the last election promising a new tourist tax. This is the last thing regional tourism needs, and we won’t introduce it.  We opposed it when it was announced, we still oppose it today.

Labor’s Tourism Policy includes:

1. Order both the Spirits home on Day 1 and mandate a dedicated tourism place on the TT-Line board to stop wasting money hiding our ships overseas and draw a line under the biggest stuff up in Tasmanian history.  We will unlock $70 million of private capital for LNG refuelling facilities for the new Spirits at Devonport, and commit to a strong program of extra day sailings until the new Spirits are in service.
2. Bring more tourists to Tasmania by allowing the aviation attraction fund to be accessed to expand existing routes, rather than being limited to new routes only.
3. Cement Launceston as a premier business events destination with a $20 million contribution to a new convention centre for the city, delivered in partnership with the private sector – this will triple business events and contribute nearly $30 million annually to the northern economy.
4. Work with the Federal Government to deliver the iconic projects the Liberals haven’t by developing new funding plans for the Cradle Mountain Cableway, the Freycinet Peninsula Masterplan and the Destination Derby Community Masterplan.
5. Oppose the Liberals’ tourist tax which will hurt regional tourism in particular.
6. Lock in interstate demand by maintaining current allocations for Tourism Tasmania, the Visitor Economy Strategy, business events, parks, events support and the West Coast Wilderness Railway.
7. Reduce the cost of doing business for tourism operators by working with the Federal Government to fix regional visa issues, develop national solutions for insurance costs and deliver key worker housing for the tourism sector.
8. Premier to retain Tourism portfolio to continue the legacy of Jim Bacon, with existing t21 and Premier’s Visitor Economy Advisory Council structures to remain in place, and a tourism and transport Cabinet subcommittee to be established to ensure problems are identified and resolved quickly across all relevant tourism ministries.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, 21 June 2025

A fresh start for Big Projects and industry

Labor will deliver a fresh start and hope for the future by working with traditional industries to streamline approvals for new major projects.

The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC) has been gamed by the Bob Brown Foundation and other activist groups to obstruct and stop developments at any cost. A Winter Labor Government will seek to work with the Australian Government to streamline approvals and to support industries and jobs.

Regional Forest Agreements (RFAs) demonstrate how coordination can occur between State and Federal environment law to ensure processes are rigorous but streamlined. It’s a model that a Tasmanian Labor Government would seek to expand across other areas – starting with renewable energy.

The RFA model provides a process where compliance with State and Federal environment laws can be assessed through a streamlined single regulatory framework. It does not mean laws are bypassed – it means the assessment of environmental laws are not duplicated.

There are more than 80 major renewable projects currently being built or shovel ready across Australia, yet we have not had a project come out of the ground here since 2020. One of the key reasons for that is the uncertainty created by the multiple layers of bureaucracy.

The TCCI has called it an energy crisis – and they are right.

Robbins Island windfarm has been trying to invest more than $3 billion in Tasmania for eight years as it battled local, state and now federal regulations. It is still not approved.

Across industry we are seeing investors frustrated with long, drawn out and duplicated environmental assessment processes at the state and federal level. In fact, some have just given up and left.

Tasmanian Labor would also seek to optimise offset provisions of the EPBC Act to better reflect Tasmania’s long-standing commitment to conservation. The fact that over half of our land mass is already in formal reserve is making it difficult for proponents to provide environmental offsets.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader; Anita Dow MP, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 22 June 2025

A Fresh Start for our Spirits

A Dean Winter Labor Government will deliver a Fresh Start for the Spirit of Tasmania vessels by fuelling them with locally produced Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) – supporting jobs, cutting emissions and finally realising the full potential of our new Spirits.

The dual-fuel Spirits were designed to run on LNG, but the Liberals want to keep them running on dirty diesel.

Labor will issue a Ministerial Direction to TT-Line to secure LNG refuelling at Devonport and commit to running the Spirits on LNG. The necessary space at the port has already been reserved, and a long-term supply agreement will give operators the confidence to invest.

This plan grows the economy, creates jobs, and supports Tasmania’s clean energy future – without costing the State Budget a cent. With two years needed to prepare the infrastructure, the time to act is now.

By making this decision, Labor will:

• Trigger more than $70 million private investment to upgrade LNG facilities in Devonport.
• Create 150 construction jobs, and 15 ongoing jobs.
• Support Tasmania’s clean, green image by slashing emissions from one of the state’s top five emitters.
• Guarantee long-term fuel price certainty and energy security for TT-Line.
• Unlock LNG supply opportunities for regional industries.

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 23 June 2025

Liberals only party strong on tourism

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has long supported investing in the tourism and aviation industry to attract more visitors to experience our great state.

We are growing our economy, sustainably increasing tourism and supporting the one in six Tasmanians employed in the tourism industry.

The Aviation Fund – established under the Tasmanian Liberal Government – is about attracting more visitors to Tasmania and securing direct international access between Tasmania and Asia.

This was our election commitment, developed together with Launceston and Hobart Airports.

We have already committed to amending the guidelines to unlock tens of thousands more seats on flights to Tasmania.

This zero-cost commitment will potentially allow airports to deliver a massive boost for Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality industries and our broader economy.

This election wasn’t our choice. Labor forced the election on you because they are more interested in political games than Tasmanian families.

Yet, once again Dean Winter has been caught out copying the homework of others.

Media release – Roger Jaensch, Liberal Member for Braddon, 24 June 2025

Boosting high-quality mental health care for young Tasmanians

Young Tasmanians in the north west needing to access mental health supports will have more options, closer to home, under a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government.

A Liberal Government will nearly double the capacity of the successful Youth Hospital in the Home on the north west, enabling more Tasmanians aged 16 to 25 to receive hospital-level care in the familiarity and comfort of their own homes.

Minister for Mental Health and Wellbeing, Roger Jaensch, said the Liberal Government was getting on with the job and ensuring young people who need that extra wrap-around care can access it, when and where they need it.

“We know that supporting children and young people facing mental health challenges in familiar environments delivers improved health outcomes,” Minister Jaensch said.

“We will roll out the state’s first Youth Mental Health program statewide, with a new child and youth mental health team working with young people aged 16 to 25 with severe and complex mental health needs, in partnership with families, schools and community networks. It follows a successful trial in the south.

“We will extend the capacity of the Youth Hospital in the Home from 7 to 12 beds, and from five days a week to seven days a week. This expansion will mean more Tasmanians can stay in their home community and receive the care they need.

“Our Government is delivering the largest-ever investment into mental health services in the state’s history, and we’re not done yet.

“We continue to listen to the voices of those with lived experience – it’s central to all these reforms.

“Their insights help us tailor services to be more accessible and effective in addressing the needs of those experiencing mental health challenges.

The Liberal Government is already investing $280 million into building new and modern mental health infrastructure, including state-of-the-art Mental Health Precincts in the north west, north and south, and a new Mental Health Hub in Devonport.

A re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government will also expand and enhance the previous Multi-Systemic Therapy model into a new Divert and Connect program – providing early intervention and mental health support to divert young people from the youth justice system.

We will also develop the next stage of our plan – Rethink and Beyond – building on the strong foundations, and strengthening prevention and early intervention.

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 23 June 2025

Innovative housing options for more homes sooner

An expansion of the successful ModHomes Program will see more homes sooner under a re-elected Liberal Government, providing more Tasmanian families with a roof over their heads.

The Tasmanian Liberal Government’s highly successful ModHomes program has already delivered hundreds of modular homes to Tasmanians.

Expanding our innovative ModHomes Program through Homes Tasmania will deliver an extra 200 homes.

Modular homes take half the time of a traditional build and cost about 70 per cent of a traditionally constructed home.

Units are built off-site in around six weeks, then installed and completed on-site within just 14 weeks.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said modular housing presents significant opportunities to deliver more social and affordable homes, faster and cheaper.

“We are working on getting Tasmanians more homes sooner,” the Premier said.

“This approach makes better use of available land while avoiding weather delays and keeping projects on track.

“Importantly, the program supports local jobs and training opportunities, helping to build a stronger construction workforce while accelerating the delivery of much-needed homes.

“We’ll also continue to support Tasmanians getting on the tools with an extension of the payroll tax rebate for apprentices, making it cheaper for employers to train our next generation of tradies.

“By working smarter to allow smaller, more affordable homes, we can get more roofs over the heads of Tasmanians who need them.

The Property Council of Australia has warmly welcomed the commitment to grow Tasmania’s prefab and modular housing industry.

Tasmanian Executive Director Rebecca Ellston said, “Modular and prefabricated housing offers an opportunity to address housing affordability while bringing fresh innovation to the construction sector.”

“With thoughtful planning reforms and a growing skilled workforce, expanding modular and prefab construction is a smart step forward,” she said.

“These homes can be delivered faster, to consistently high standards, and with strong sustainability and safety credentials.

“This initiative will help create a strong, sustainable pipeline of work, giving both public and private investors the confidence to scale up and deliver more innovative housing solutions for Tasmanians.”

Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 20 June 2025

Imaging services pledged for patients on the East Coast

East coast residents needing diagnostic imaging services will benefit from a new CT scanner at the St Helens District Hospital under a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the investment in a CT scanner will meet expected growth in demand for health services in the region, a key part of the Liberals’ plan.

“CT scans are incredibly important to modern healthcare and allow for timely diagnosis for patients undergoing cancer treatment, suffering from heart disease or even just identifying a fracture,” the Premier said.

“The installation of the machine will include the construction of a dedicated CT scanner room, with design work to begin in the first 100 days of a re-elected Liberal Government.

“Having access to a local CT scanner will reduce pressure on the Launceston General Hospital by reducing the need for ambulance transfers, with the added benefit of freeing up our hard-working paramedics to respond to more urgent cases.

“The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a strong record of delivering better healthcare for residents, closer to home, on the east coast.”

The St Helens District Hospital (SHDH) – which was built by the Liberal Government in 2019 – provides the busiest emergency service of any district hospital in Tasmania.

Media release – Bob Brown Foundation, 23 June 2025

Winter’s Labor to gut environment protection. While environmental protectors face draconian police bail curfew

“He is going ‘far beyond the Liberals’”

Labor’s Dean Winter will gut already-weak environmental laws protecting Tasmania if Labor forms the next state government with crossbench support, Bob Brown Foundation said today.

“Winter has revealed he wants to abolish laws protecting Tasmania’s endangered birds and animals from unnecessary projects like MMG’s acid waste dump in the Takayna rainforest, the Robbins Island wind farm, and the continuing salmon cage impacts in Macquarie Harbour. To do this, he will work with a willing Albanese Labor government in Canberra to get national environment laws removed where they relate to Tasmania,” Bob Brown said.

“Winter will go far beyond the Liberals in handing Tasmania’s natural environment to foreign multinationals like China’s MMG, Brazil’s (JBS) Huon Aquaculture and the Philippines’ Ayala group wanting its mega wind farm on Robbins Island.”

“He even plans to get rid of contentious ‘offsets’ whereby companies wanting to destroy the habitat of a threatened species need to show that they will protect another similar habitat. Winter indicates that all a corporation will have to do is point to a national park that has the same species in it. So, MMG would be able to put its acid waste dump in the Takayna rainforest, destroying the nesting sites of Tasmania’s giant masked owls if it can be shown the owls are also at Cradle Mountain. This is a plan for accelerated extinction in Tasmania in this age of the worst extinction rates worldwide for millions of years.”

“Winter’s Labor will back the big end of town and foreign billionaires to destroy Tasmania’s global reputation as an island proud of its natural beauty and environmental wellbeing,” Brown said.

Meanwhile, Tasmanians Sandra Van Den Berg and Eleanor Kuylaars, two people arrested last week for defending ancient forests from logging were given harsh and excessive bail conditions by police that imposed strict conditions for over three months, with a nightly curfew from 10 pm to 6 am. Van den Berg will challenge the bail conditions today in court.

“Winter’s Labor and Rockliff’s Liberals corporate bosses are getting free access to destroy the forests while the citizens face home detention before they have even been to court for standing up for forest protection,” Jenny Weber, Bob Brown Foundation’s Campaigns Manager said.

Tuesday 24 June 2025

Election must deliver real plan to fix budget and health spending

With Tasmania facing record debt and deficits, the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) today called on Labor and the Liberals to outline clear budget repair plans before voting starts so that the community can understand exactly how each party would restore budget sustainability – with health system reform at the centre of their plans.

TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said the election campaign must address the state’s serious fiscal challenges.

“Tasmania cannot afford another election fought on slogans rather than solutions,” Mr Bailey said.

“Both major parties need to explain how they will rein in debt and deficit while maintaining essential services.

“Any credible pathway to budget sustainability must include a plan to make our $3.5 billion health spending more sustainable, targeted and effective – without reducing the quality or quantity of services Tasmanians rely on.”

Mr Bailey said health spending, which accounts for one-third of the budget and is projected to reach 42 per cent within a decade, represents Tasmania’s single biggest fiscal challenge.

“That’s why we’re calling for a Commission of Inquiry into the health system – to find smarter ways to deliver services while controlling costs. This isn’t about cuts, it’s about ensuring every health dollar achieves maximum value.

“Businesses understand you can’t keep spending beyond your means indefinitely. The next government must show the same discipline,” Mr Bailey said.

 The TCCI’s election priorities are –

1. Budget Sustainability

o   Restore the budget to surplus through disciplined spending, fully costed savings, and backing the private-sector.

2. Energy Policy

o   Deliver Marinus Link on schedule, invest in renewable energy, and ensure affordable power for households and businesses.

3. Governance

o   Introduce a Government-Business Charter to prioritize local contracts, ensure stability, and reform the public sector.

4. Cost of Doing Business

o   Review business costs and develop a cost index to address rising expenses like power, insurance, and taxes.

5. Education and Skills

o   Increase workforce participation by addressing barriers (education, transport, health) and supporting the TCCI’s Participation Taskforce.

6. GBEs and Public Entities

o   Reform Government Business Enterprises (GBEs) and State-owned Companies (SOCs) to align with commercial principles and review TasWater’s regulations.

7. Health System Review

o   Establish a Commission of Inquiry to improve efficiency and sustainability in Tasmania’s health system.

8. Infrastructure

o   Develop a priority infrastructure list to guide investments and secure federal funding.

Media release – Vica Bayley MP, 23 June 2025

Greens’ Plan to Crackdown on Real Estate Malpractice and Rental Breaches Announced

On behalf of the Greens, today I’m proud to announce our plan to follow the lead of Victoria and New South Wales by establishing a taskforce to crackdown on real estate malpractice and rental breaches.

The Real Estate and Rental Standards Taskforce will focus on known significant issues, such as:

• Minimum standards for rental properties not being met
• Rental bidding
• False advertising
• Underquoting on sales
• Illegal leases and notices

The taskforce will be supported by an investment of $2.4 million.

Crucially, the taskforce will proactively investigate these issues, rather than just relying on complaints being made. This will include taskforce officers conducting in-person inspections of properties advertised for rent to ensure they meet the minimum standards set out in law. The taskforce will have the ability to issue fines and in extreme cases to take legal action, as has been done in other states.

There is so much that needs to be done to fix the housing crisis. But cracking down on malpractice by real estate agents and on breaches of the state’s rentals laws is a simple measure that will make a real difference to the thousands of Tasmanians trying to find a safe, secure, and affordable home right now.

I frequently have people contacting my office sharing shocking stories about their experiences with real estate agents and rental properties. We absolutely need stronger rental laws, but we also need to do much more to enforce the rules we already have. People are often too afraid to make complaints because they’re afraid of losing their home, which is why a proactive approach is key.

Taskforces like this have already been shown to be delivering results on the mainland. Victoria’s Rental Taskforce issued $620,000 in fines in its first year, and within a month of being set up the New South Wales equivalent had put $50,000 back into the hands of renters.

The Greens believe this policy is a no-brainer, and we’re hopeful the other political parties will get on board. In particular this should be something Labor supports, considering it’s a policy introduced by Labor government on the mainland.

Media release – Helen Burnet MP, Greens Transport spokesperson, 22 June 2025

Greens Announce Plan for Free, Frequent and Reliable Public Transport

With a new government and the Greens in balance of power, we’ll make real change for Tasmanians struggling with the cost of living by investing $165 million into making public transport free, frequent and reliable.

Properly resourced public transport is good for people and the economy. It’s a service that connects communities, and should be accessible for all Tasmanians.

The Liberals aren’t serious about providing Tasmanians with good public transport. When you try to catch a bus, you don’t know if it’ll show up on time – or at all.

Public transport simply isn’t useful for many people, with services operating far too infrequently. It’s no wonder we have worsening traffic problems.

The Liberals have even threatened to privatise Metro to fund building a new billion-dollar stadium. Such a decision would mean even higher costs and far worse bus services for Tasmanians.

The Greens’ plan will provide real support for Tasmanians in the cost of living crisis and have a positive flow on effect to the community as a whole.

Media release – Royal Australian College of GPs, 23 June 2025 

“This is an infection that takes young lives”: Tasmanian GPs call on all parties to match free meningococcal B vaccinations

Ahead of the upcoming state election, the Royal Australian College of GPs (RACGP) has called on all Tasmanian political parties to match the Tasmanian Liberals’ announcement of free meningococcal B vaccinations for at risk babies and toddlers.

On Sunday, Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff promised that a re-elected Liberal Government would make meningococcal B vaccines free of charge for all infants aged six weeks to 12 months as well as a free “catch-up” immunisation for children over 12 months and under two years old.

RACGP Tasmania Chair Toby Gardner called for all political parties to unite behind a vital public health measure.

“We’re throwing our support behind Sunday’s announcement, and for good reason – this is an infection that takes young lives,” he said.

“Now, we call on all the state’s political parties to match the commitment. This year alone, we’ve already seen two meningococcal B cases in Tasmania, and we never know when and where it will strike next. This is a relatively rare infection, but it can be deadly, and those who survive can be left with severe effects including brain damage, scarring and loss of limbs.”

Dr Gardner said the timing couldn’t be better to give Tasmanian families a helping hand.

“For an investment of just $1 million a year, we can save the lives of young people, including babies and toddlers,” he said.

“For those not covered by the National Immunisation Program, or NIP, vaccinating children can cost families hundreds of dollars. During a cost-of-living crisis, this is something that many simply can’t afford. It’s time for Tasmania to catch up to other jurisdictions including South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory, which all have free infant meningococcal B vaccine programs in place.

“The RACGP will also continue fighting for the meningococcal B vaccine to be made free for adolescents aged 15 to 19 years, who are also at higher risk. That’s not only in Tasmania, but across Australia, because this infection doesn’t discriminate. Only then can we say we’re doing all we can to keep young people safe, it’s time for action.”

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