· Social Inclusion strategy welcomed as a blueprint for immediate action for current and future governments in Tasmania

· The Plan paints a sad picture of disadvantage in Tasmania in 2009

· Liberals committed to our Fairer Tasmania strategy, and we will use this report to build upon it

I warmly welcome the solid blueprint for action on social inclusion by Tasmania’s independent Social Inclusion Commissioner, Professor David Adams.

Professor Adams has not only provided sound evidence of the unacceptable level of unmet need and disadvantage in our community, but has produced a plan which can ensure immediate action by current and future governments.

As Professor Adams rightly points out “social inclusion matters to the future of Tasmania”. Getting people off welfare benefits and into the workforce and ensuring Tasmanians are healthier and well educated is a sound investment in Tasmania’s future and budget sustainability.

The Liberals will use the Commissioner’s plan to build upon our Fairer Tasmania strategy, which we announced in 2007.

Our Fairer Tasmania strategy outlines the Liberals’ vision for, and commitment to:

· A Tasmania that provides better access to services

· A Tasmania that supports disadvantaged people and disadvantaged places

· A Tasmania that reduces barriers to opportunity

· A Tasmania that gives equity to rural and regional people; and

· A Tasmania where people have rights and respect

A number of policies have been announced as part of this strategy – many of them backed by the Commissioner in this report, including food security programs, accessible and affordable public transport, community youth employment and justice programs and better access to assistive technologies.

The Commissioner’s report paints a bleak picture of life for many Tasmanians in 2009.

It’s unacceptable that after a decade of strong economic growth, many Tasmanians do not have access to such basic needs as food, electricity, housing, education, transport and health services.

The Liberals will consider the Commissioner’s report as part of our ongoing policy development process to build upon our strategy, and we applaud this body of work as a step towards a fairer Tasmania.
Will Hodgman MP Leader of the State Opposition