Latest News from the Tasmanian Liberals

Peter Gutwein, Treasurer

More Tasmanians are in work than ever before according to today’s October 2019 labour force data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Under the Hodgman Liberal majority Government, 15,800 jobs have now been created, and 250,900 Tasmanians are now employed in trend terms, which is a new jobs record!

In October 2019, 800 jobs were created, representing the fastest growth rate in the country at 0.3 per cent, and our unemployment rate continued to fall to 6.1 per cent.

Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport

Labor’s infrastructure spokesperson Dr Shane Broad has confirmed that, after half a decade in opposition and just two years after an election, Labor still has absolutely no alternative vision or plan for Greater Hobart traffic.

Demonstrating his woeful grasp of his portfolio issues in today’s Greater Hobart Traffic Congestion Inquiry, Dr Broad’s rambling contribution failed to provide a single new idea to help commuters.

Elise Archer, Attorney-General

Tasmanians want the certainty of mandatory jail time for serious child sex offenders.

Today, the Hodgman majority Liberal Government will table a bill which will again seek to implement our plans and help to protect our children and our frontline workers including correctional officers, ambulance officers, nurses, midwives, medical orderlies, hospital attendants and child safety officers, by delivering guaranteed jail time.

Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to ensuring Tasmanians can go to work and run their business in a safe manner free from threats and disruption.

Today the Government introduced legislation to provide Tasmanians with the strongest laws in the country to protect against trespassers targeting businesses, workers and their families.

These laws are needed following an upsurge in business disruption caused by organised actions across the country, much of it unfairly directed at farmers.

Sarah Courtney, Minister for Health

I am pleased Parliament has passed the Government’s amendments to Labor’s motion earlier today.

Local hospital leadership has commenced an audit into escalation levels and patient flow processes at the LGH, which I confirmed in Parliament yesterday:

“There is a range of initiatives being implemented at the Launceston General Hospital right now, including auditing the processes involving escalation levels. I look forward to hearing the outcomes of that.”

Peter Gutwein, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

After 30 years of service, the Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service (PWS) Shearwater vessel will be retired.

A request for tender to build, supply and deliver a new vessel for PWS on the West Coast is now open.

The new vessel will provide increased reliability, safety and comfort and increase the number of days the boat can operate in the variety of weather conditions experienced on the West Coast.

Peter Gutwein, Minister for Environment, Parks and Heritage

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government notes the decision of the Federal Court.

We understand the Court has not overturned the Federal Minister for the Environment’s decision, but rather, has set the decision aside and requested that the parties work together to develop a notice containing mitigation and avoidance measures by 26 November 2019.