 
Media Centre
Government's Economic Mismanagement Evident in New Survey - 22nd July 2010
Today's NAB Business Confidence Survey shows that under the Labor-Green Government, business is going backwards... more
The Liberals Connect with Industry as Labor Sits on its Hands - 22nd July 2010
The Tasmanian Liberals announced today that we are holding a series of meetings with the State's large industrial businesses, as well as representatives of various industry sectors in the coming months, in order to understand the challenges that large employers face... more
Pensioners to be Hit Hard by Water and Sewerage Increases - 21st July 2010
The Government's cynical pre-election decision to pay pensioners a one off $130 concession last year on their water and sewer age bills as well as paying the full concession rate of $374 off their council rates will mean that pensioners will be hit hard this year... more
Aurora Told Labor of Financial Difficulties - 19th July 2010
It has been reported today that Aurora told the Treasurer, Michael Aird, of pending financial difficulties, which further calls into question Labor's dubious price cap broken promise... more
Labor Blows the Budget by Half a Billion Dollars - 15th July 2010
Documents tabled in Parliament today show that the Government overspent its budget by a whopping $543 million... more
Aird's Contempt for the Parliament - 14th July 2010
In Legislative Council Question Time today, Treasurer Michael Aird refused point-blank to advise the Parliament whether Aurora had sought additional financial support from the Government prior to the election... more
Did Aurora Seek Financial Support Prior to the Election? - 13th July 2010
In Legislative Council Question Time today, Liberal MLC Vanessa Goodwin asked the Treasurer if Aurora Energy had requested additional financial support prior to the 2010 state election... more
Water Corporations Must Stop Wasting Our Money - 12th July 2010
Taxpayer-funded water corporations appear determined to continue to waste money on self congratulation and promotion rather than delivering the services they should be... more
Booth Now Trusts the Labor Party! - 8th July 2010
The one Green that Tasmanians believed still had some integrity, Kim Booth, has today been sold a pup by his Green colleagues and his Labor coalition partners... more
Unemployment in Tasmania Highest in the Nation - 8th July 2010
In a week of bad news for the Tasmanian economy, with business and consumer confidence falling, Tasmania tops the national unemployment rate... more
TCCI Survey Confirms Decline in Business Confidence - 7th July 2010
Today's TCCI Survey of Business Expectations confirms that businesses are losing confidence in the Tasmanian economy... more
Greens Making Excuses on Energy Select Committee - 6th July 2010
If the Tasmanian Greens truly believe in accountability and transparency in government, they will support our motion to establish a select committee into Tasmania's energy businesses... more
Hydro Hung Out to Dry by Minister - 6th July 2010
In Parliament today, the Minister for Energy, Bryan Green, refused to explain why it appeared Hydro has been setup as the fall guy for Aurora's financial difficulties... more
Treasurer Can't be Believed on Aurora - 29th June 2010
The Treasurer's limp excuses today at Estimates are a poor substitute for the transparency and accountability that Tasmanians deserve from their Government... more
Aird Must Explain When and What He Knew About Aurora's Difficulties - 27th June 2010
In Budget Estimates this coming week we intend to pursue the Treasurer over Aurora's financial situation and when the Government first understood the severity of it... more
Government Knew Aurora was in Trouble Before the Election - 24th June 2010
In Parliament today, the Treasurer finally admitted that he was briefed by Aurora on its financial position in January 2010, weeks before the election was announced... more
Aird Desperately Trying to Rewrite His Own Budget Papers - 22nd June 2010
The only thing that Michael Aird has got right today are the page numbers in the Budget containing his errors... more
Treasury Questions Jobs Target - 18th June 2010
The Budget reveals that Treasury is not confident that the Labor-Green Government can create 15,000 new jobs in the next four years... more
Thorp First to Cut Education Budget in 12 Years - 18th June 2010
Lin Thorp is the first Labor Education Minister in 12 years to actually propose a decrease in education funding from the Consolidated Fund... more
Government's Dim Announcement on Energy - 16th June 2010
Today in Parliament we saw a flaccid response to one of the most serious challenges facing the State... more
Government's Energy Policy Chaos - 15th June 2010
Every day the Labor-Green Government stalls its announcement on energy adds to the growing concerns that there actually is no energy policy in Tasmania... more
Will Government Break Up Hydro? - 13th June 2010
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today that he understood that the Labor Green Cabinet was considering a major restructure of the three state owned energy businesses even though no mention was made of this before the recent election... more
What is Going On with Aurora? - 11th June 2010
The Treasurer appears to now not be going to make a statement on Aurora this week... more
Hypocrisy from the Treasurer - 11th June 2010
It is the height of hypocrisy for Michael Aird to claim the Liberals are being irresponsible in their calls for information regarding the concerning state of Tasmania's energy industry... more
Government Admits it has no Plan as Business Confidence Plummets - 10th June 2010
The Labor-Green Government acknowledged that it doesn't have a clue how to deal with the serious economic conditions that we currently face... more
180,000 Households and Businesses to Cop Power Price Shock - 9th June 2010
In Parliament today the Premier confirmed 180,000 households and small businesses will not receive the 5% cap on power prices as promised and could now face power price rises of between 10% and 25% this year... more
Power Prices Set to Rise - 8th June 2010
Another day, another broken promise from David Bartlett. This time it looks like all Tasmanians will be paying more for power by the end of the year... more
Future Prices for Water and Sewerage - Who Knows? The Treasurer Does! - 7th June 2010
According to the Economic Regulators web site the Treasurer received the Regulators report on the review of the Water and Sewerage Interim Pricing Order on the 27th of April 2010... more
TCCI Backs Liberals Call for Immediate Review of Water and Sewerage - 6th June 2010
The TCCI's backing of the State Liberals policy for an immediate review of the Government's flawed water and sewerage reforms is a welcome endorsement... more
Green Dodges the Question - 5th June 2010
Bryan Green's notorious evasion skills are once again on display in his capacity as Energy Minister... more
Hydro/Aurora Fight Could Cost Tasmanians Dearly - 4th June 2010
The Minister for Energy needs to act quickly to stop the war between Hydro and Aurora turning into higher power prices for all Tasmanians... more
Tasmanian Exports Fall - 2nd June 2010
Figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show that the March 2010 quarter was the worst quarter for Tasmanian exporters since June 2004... more
Private Investment Collapse - 1st June 2010
New figures released by the Bureau of Statistics show that private investment in Tasmania has collapsed... more
Come On Aldermen - Support the Cycling Classic - 30th May 2010
Stan Siejka Cycling Classic Committee member and Bass MP Peter Gutwein said today that he hoped that the Launceston City Council would continue with its support for the Cycling Classic, which each year attracts around 10,000 spectators and brings the cream of Australian cycling to Launceston streets... more
Where Will the Education Millions Come From? - 30th May 2010
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein has called on the Treasurer Michael Aird to explain how he will pay for the more than $20 million in out of hours penalties potentially owed to staff in Tasmanian public schools... more
Answers Needed on Musselroe Wind Farm - 26th May 2010
Energy Minister Bryan Green must explain when works would begin again on the stalled $400 million Musselroe wind farm project... more
Mystery Ministries: Does Labor Take Industry and Hospitality Portfolios Seriously? - 23rd May 2010
Does the Labor-Green Government take the industry or hospitality sectors seriously? Documents received by the Tasmanian Liberals... more
Tassie Only Gets Bronze for World Expo Effort - 16th May 2010
It appears that the Tasmanian Government, unlike other State and Territory Governments, has failed to grasp the significance and opportunity that the World Expo currently underway in Shanghai could bring to the economy... more
Rudd Budget Provides the Worst Possible Outcome for Tasmania - 12th May 2010
No new infrastructure spending for our roads, ports or our deteriorating rail network in this year's federal budget means that last year's missed opportunity will haunt this State for decades to come... more
Is Aurora in Financial Trouble and Will Power Prices Go Up as a Result? - 11th May 2010
The Energy Minister, Bryan Green, must start giving Tasmanians straight answers... more
Federal Budget 2010: Tasmania Left Off The Map - 11th May 2010
Tonight, David Bartlett and the Labor-Green Government confirmed that they have absolutely no influence in Canberra... more
Which Election Promises Will be Broken and Who Will Really Benefit? - 9th May 2010
Treasurer Michael Aird must explain if the coming budget will deliver all of the Labor-Green Government's $1.2 billion in election commitments and importantly how they will be paid for... more
Short-Term Assistance for Forestry Contractors Essential - 7th May 2010
The Labor-Green Government must immediately put in place a further short-term assistance package for forestry contractors hit by the severe downturn in the woodchip market... more
Labor Has No Plan To Help Forestry Workers - 5th May 2010
In Parliament today Bryan Green refused to offer any further support to forest contractors doing it tough in Tasmania... more
Treasurer's Latest Back Flip - 3rd May 2010
Yet again, the Treasurer, Michael Aird, has been caught out trying to get away with another sneaky back flip... more
Pressure Now on Aird to Review Tasmania's Tax System - 2nd May 2010
Now that the Henry Review of taxation has been released, Michael Aird has run out of excuses for not reviewing Tasmania's tax system... more
Aurora in Danger and Higher Electricity Prices on the Way - 30th April 2010
New Energy Minister Brian Green must explain how he will implement Labor's 5% price cap without either spending millions of dollars of taxpayer money to prop up Aurora, or sacking hundreds of Aurora workers... more
Another Bryan Green Cover-up Emerges - 29th April 2010
After revelations yesterday that Bryan Green kept the breakdown of Basslink a secret, it appears a new cover-up is emerging... more
Basslink Break Down Could Hurt Hydro - 27th April 2010
A new cover-up has been discovered involving new Energy Minister, Bryan Green, and Basslink... more
Expert Study Into Energy Missing in Action - 22nd April 2010
Last year the Government commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers to conduct a high-level review of Tasmania's energy businesses, which was expected to be released before the election, but until now the contents have been kept secret... more
Bartlett courts McKim while Tasmania courts disaster - 15th April 2010
While David Bartlett courts Nick McKim to cling onto power, the wheels are falling off Tasmania’s economy... more
New Labor tax - 11th April 2010
Just three days after the election outcome, Labor have revealed a new $30 per year tax on southern Tasmanians... more
Aird must resign from Ministry - 11th April 2010
Michael Aird must resign as Treasurer and advise the Premier of his unavailability to serve in Cabinet if Mr Bartlett choses to proceed with his flagged plan to appoint Green ministers... more
Over $16 million investment in sport and recreation - 18th March 2010
A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will invest over $16m to support sport and a variety of projects in local communities and sporting clubs to ensure that all Tasmanians are able to access decent sporting and recreational facilities, so that they are better able to participate in physical exercise, enjoy organised sports and lead healthier, longer lives... more
Response to desperate Aird - 18th March 2010
Michael Aird knows full well that all of our policies are fully costed and fully funded and that we have met our responsibilities under the Charter of Budget Responsibility Act... more
Medical Council inquiry - 17th March 2010
It is now twelve months since the Medical Council commenced its inquiry into Dr Paul McGinity, the long-standing North-East based medical practitioner... more
Real Change– A bright future for energy in Tasmania - 16th March 2010
A Hodgman Liberal Government will take a multi-facetted approach to ensure that Tasmanian energy customers are provided with the most competitive energy prices in the country... more
Labor blows the spendometer - 15th March 2010
Today’s TCCI Spendometer shows that Labor is recklessly spending more than even the fiscally incompetent Greens... more
Real change for Netball - 13th March 2010
A Hodgman Liberal Government will provide $700,000 over three years to support netball in Tasmania... more
Bartlett fails on jobs – unemployment now highest in the nation - 11th March 2010
The number of unemployed people in Tasmania has jumped from 9400 in September 2008 to 16,100 in February 2010... more
Labor must say whether they will sell assets to pay for their election spendathon - 11th March 2010
According to the TCCI’s Spendometer, Labor’s election spending commitments now total a massive $443.8 million... more
Labor acting like fiscal vandals - 10th March 2010
The latest update of the TCCI’s Spendometer shows Labor has so far made $443.8 million in election promises... more
Treasurer should explain newest water and sewerage mess - 9th March 2010
Onstream’s decision to compete with existing Tasmanian businesses is a new low for the Treasurer’s bungled water and sewerage changes... more
Real Change for Bridport - 8th March 2010
A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will invest in local community facilities in the North-East as part of the Liberals’ North-East policy package... more
Real Change supporting tourism in the North-East - 8th March 2010
A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will provide $100,000 for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Department of Economic Development on the benefits the North-East community and the viability of attracting an international golf event to the Barnbougle Dunes golf course at Bridport... more
Scottsdale Football Club - 8th March 2010
A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will provide $70,000 to assist the Scottsdale Football Club to undertake a minor capital upgrade of its facilities and assist with the previous installation of lighting at the ground... more
North-East Roads - 8th March 2010
The North East needs certainty to ensure the strategic development and funding of its road network... more
Real Change for the North-East - 8th March 2010
A Hodgman Majority Liberal Government will ensure that nearly $50 million is invested over the next four years in the North-East... more
Greens’ fiscal credibility in tatters - 7th March 2010
The Greens’ fiscal credibility is in tatters following the release of their so-called Fiscal Strategy yesterday... more
Tasmania can’t afford a Labor-Green minority government - 6th March 2010
Revelations today that the combined Labor-Green spending for the election campaign totals over $750 million shows why Tasmania simply can’t afford a Labor-Green minority Government... more
Labor blows the budget - 5th March 2010
The TCCI Spendometer clearly shows that Labor pork-barreling is out of control and a Labor/Green minority government would take Tasmania back into net debt... more
Liberals’ budget savings - 4th March 2010
In light of Labor’s announcement that they have declared a saving of $50 million as a result of better than expected GST revenue, I can announce that the Liberals will also remove the $50 million GST provision and declare it as a saving... more
Tassie economy needs real change - 3rd March 2010
Today’s ABS economic data shows that, in spite of Labor’s gloating and spin, Tasmania’s economy is far from secure... more
Labor-Green policies up for sale - 3rd March 2010
Labor and the Greens need to reveal which policies they will negotiate away in the event of a hung parliament following the March 20 election... more
What will a Labor-Green Government cost? - 1st March 2010
Much has been made of the cost of each party’s election commitments. However, let’s be clear: only the Liberals can achieve majority government... more
Liberals commit to $400m Musselroe project – 200 jobs to be created - 28th February 2010
Liberal Leader Will Hodgman today announced that a Hodgman Liberal Government stands ready to assist Roaring 40s to secure finance to immediately begin building the now stalled $400m Musselroe wind farm in Tasmania’s north-east... more
Musselroe wind farm - 26th February 2010
Today's announcement on Renewable Energy Certificates raises more questions than it answers... more
Liberals lead on budget responsibility - 26th February 2010
I am pleased that the TCCI has released a spendometer, proving that the Liberals are the most fiscally responsible party... more
Gas - 23rd February 2010
Today’s announcement highlights that Labor has failed to properly manage the gas rollout in Tasmania... more
Unions Tas - 23rd February 2010
In response to the predictable Union Tas scare campaign, I can only reiterate our previously stated position that nobody working for a Government business will be sacked by a Hodgman Liberal Government... more
Thorpe must extend deadline on St Leonards housing - 23rd February 2010
The Human Services Minister, Lin Thorpe, is avoiding dealing with the real issues in her latest comments on the St Leonards housing proposal... more
Flinders to Sturges: ‘Don’t you know who we are?’ - 23rd February 2010
It absolutely beggars belief that Flinders Island has been left off Labor’s State Infrastructure Strategy... more
Government must listen to Social Inclusion Commissioner on St Leonards units - 21st February 2010
Member for Bass Peter Gutwein has called on the State Government, through local Minister Michelle O'Byrne, to heed the concerns of its own Social Inclusion Commissioner David Adams regarding the proposed construction of 25 social housing units at St Leonards... more
Welcome back, Michael Aird! - 19th February 2010
After a brief, but entertainingly incompetent cameo by Lara Giddings, finally Michael Aird has returned... more
Giddings $50 million black hole - 18th February 2010
If Labor strategists thought Michael Aird was so bad he had to be hidden they must be wondering if they made the right decision after they once again wheeled out the manifestly inept Lara Giddings to talk about financial matters... more
Treasurer in hiding over electricity price stuff up - 17th February 2010
The Treasurer, Michael Aird, cannot continue to blame the Economic Regulator for bungling Labor’s attempt to intervene in setting power prices in Tasmania... more
Musselroe wind farm needs Federal changes - 17th February 2010
After months of denial from Energy Minister David Llewellyn and Premier David Bartlett that the Musselroe wind farm was in trouble, it was refreshing to hear Federal Labor Senator Kerry O’Brien say the Federal Government needed to address the issues that were preventing the Musselroe project going ahead... more
Housing Minister must attend public meeting at St Leonards - 17th February 2010
I call on the Human Services Minister, Lin Thorp, to either attend or send a representative to a public meeting at St Leonards on Saturday morning to discuss the proposal to build 25 units under the National Partnership Agreement... more
Chamber happy to facilitate debate - 16th February 2010
I am disappointed that the Treasurer, Michael Aird, has so far refused an invitation to discuss economic and financial policy with the Tasmanian people... more
Treasurer challenged to a debate - why is Aird hiding? - 15th February 2010
Economic strategy and financial management are amongst two of the key areas of debate during this election campaign... more
Labor’s electricity price hoax - 15th February 2010
Labor’s electricity announcement is a cruel hoax and by capping prices next year Labor is setting Tasmanians up for even higher price rises into the future... more
Bartlett must talk to Wong on Musselroe - 15th February 2010
Musselroe wind farm, the second biggest planned building project in Tasmania, is likely to fall over because David Bartlett is too weak to take on Federal Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong, about her renewable energy policy... more
Government must explain why it supports windfarms in SA but not in Musselroe - 14th February 2010
The Government must explain why a Roaring 40s wind farm project in SA was able to be underwritten by Tasmanian GBE Hydro and achieve financial close, yet the Musselroe windfarm, worth more than $400M, and a key northern project with hundreds of jobs attached to it, has still been unable to achieve financial close... more
Musselroe problems also raise questions about viability of Roaring 40s - 13th February 2010
Roaring 40s admission regarding the Musselroe wind farm that "we need the Government to fix this problem" unfortunately confirms concerns I’ve been raising now for months in relation this project... more
Giddings stuffs up spending announcement - 13th February 2010
Lara Giddings has scored an embarrassing own goal today... more
Bartlett’s budget black hole - 12th February 2010
Before the election was even called, the Premier has already blown the budget... more
Mid-Year Financial Report - 11th February 2010
The fact is that in June last year, the Government prepared a worst-case scenario Budget for 2009-10. However, this Report shows that our budget situation over the forward estimates is even worse than what was predicted... more
Llewellyn can’t be trusted on Musselroe - 6th February 2010
Claims from the Energy Minister, David Llewellyn, that the Musselroe windfarm is only experiencing "short-term" delays are about as believable as his claims yesterday that he will remain a member of Parliament until he is 75... more
Musselroe Windfarm collapse? - 5th February 2010
The $400 million Musselroe Windfarm appears to be dead in the water... more
Anger Grows at Mt Stuart Drive - 4th February 2010
Last night more than 40 residents met at Mr Stuart Drive to express their concerns regarding the State Government’s plans to build public housing units in the area... more
Economy under threat as December spending crashes - 4th February 2010
ABS figures released today show that retail spending in December 2009 was at a two year low... more
Aird fails basic test of honesty - 4th February 2010
Michael Aird has proven that he will say one thing and do another... more
Tas suffers major investment slump - 3rd February 2010
I am disturbed that Tasmania’s investment slump appears to be worse than expected... more
Compensation must be on the table in Lilydale land debate - 2nd February 2010
The Launceston City Council needs to clearly explain how it believes matters of compensation will be dealt with if a hydrological study of a private timber reserve in Lilydale results in the land not being able to be used as the owner wishes... more
Aird gagged as Bartlett burns the budget - 1st February 2010
As the Premier racks up hundreds of millions of dollars in spending promises, the man responsible for finding the money to pay for them, Treasurer Michael Aird, is nowhere to be found... more
Government in denial on unemployment - 1st February 2010
It is becoming more difficult to find a job in Tasmania and job seekers are expected to do it tough... more
Business survey shows Labor out of touch - 29th January 2010
Today’s TCCI survey of business expectations reveals that Labor is on the nose with the business community... more
Whoops! Even the Government admits it’s pork barrelling - 28th January 2010
Lara Giddings’ startling Freudian slip yesterday well and truly confirms that Labor is trying to buy its way back into power... more
Access Economics says business to be hit hard - 27th January 2010
Today’s Access Economics Business Outlook paints a gloomy picture for Tasmania... more
Take care on Australia Day - 25th January 2010
With fine weather forecast for tomorrow’s Australia Day public holiday many Tasmanians will head to the beach... more
What about Flinders Island, Mr Bartlett? - 24th January 2010
Yesterday’s announcement that the State Government has promised nearly $22 million of Government handouts to King Island demonstrates just how out of touch they are... more
Action Plan required urgently for Flinders shipping - 22nd January 2010
Liberal Member for Bass Peter Gutwein said today that it was vitally important that hapless Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges developed and outlined both his immediate and longer term plan for Flinders Island Shipping... more
Labor Land Tax farce continues - 21st January 2010
24 hours after we announced our plans to cap and cut Land Tax and also fix Labor’s onerous and complicated rebate application process, the Government is still throwing up smoke-screens rather than admit they got their Land Tax reforms wrong... more
Abolishing land tax - 20th January 2010
A Hodgman Liberal Government will abolish land tax over eight years, commencing in 2011/12... more
A disgrace that local residents’ concerns were ignored - 19th January 2010
Member for Bass Peter Gutwein today said that it was a disgrace that residents’ concerns were totally ignored regarding Housing Tasmania’s proposed multiple unit developments at Mt Stuart Drive... more
Treasurer’s secret process exposed-must be stopped - 19th January 2010
Yesterday’s revelation that the Treasurer has been secretly working on more changes to his water and sewerage reforms without even informing the owners of the assets, local government, is very concerning and symptomatic of the way this arrogant Government goes about its business... more
Aird continues the promotion of Liberal land tax policy - 18th January 2010
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today that he was pleased that Treasurer Michael Aird had highlighted the fact that the extra funding that was proposed for the Valuer General by Labor would not be required any more under the Liberal’s bold land tax elimination policy... more
Aird admits he’s confused about water and sewerage - 18th January 2010
Michael Aird’s confused, incoherent handling of water and sewerage continues. Mr Aird has denied committing to providing water and sewerage rebates to customers before Christmas... more
Water and sewerage rebates, yet another Labor bungle? - 17th January 2010
Treasurer Michael Aird must explain whether his water and sewerage rebate plan has turned into yet another Labor bungle... more
Surprise, surprise, Bartlett fails to deliver on Land Tax rebate promise - 16th January 2010
The Premier and his hapless Treasurer have gone to ground over the latest in the long line of Labor Land Tax let-downs... more
Sturges should resign over Flinders shipping debacle - 15th January 2010
Hapless Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges should resign over his handling of the Flinders Island shipping debacle... more
Giddings must explain her bizarre financial logic - 15th January 2010
It seems that the Health Minister, Lara Giddings, is setting new records for spending the same money more than once... more
Government must adopt Libs water and sewerage policy - 15th January 2010
The resignation of another senior executive from the new water and sewerage corporations highlights the need for the Liberals’ policy of an urgent review of the entire structure of the water and sewerage changes... more
Tasmania’s unemployment rate up - 14th January 2010
No matter what spin the Treasurer tries to put on today’s unemployment data, he cannot avoid the fact that on a trend basis, we now have one of the worst unemployment rates of any Australian state or territory... more
Liberal policy would assist fledgling Bridport Surf Life Saving Club - 12th January 2010
This week the Tasmanian Liberals announced a policy that will see the investment of $2.275 million in Tasmanian Surf Life Saving Clubs and services across the State... more
Government pork barrelling must stop - 12th January 2010
The Government must show some fiscal responsibility and immediately restrain its pre-election spendathon, which is obviously motivated by its greed for power and fuelled by its desire to cling to power... more
Small business could miss out on land tax rebate - 11th January 2010
Tens of thousands of Tasmania small businesses could miss out on land tax rebates this year as a result of Labor’s convoluted rebate process... more
What will Aird do to stop the slide? - 11th January 2010
Today’s Commsec report states that the Tasmanian economy “…may slip modestly down the leader-board as the global economy recovers”... more
Labor’s land tax changes will cost business time and money - 9th January 2010
The Government must explain whether its intention was to create a process for the claiming of land tax relief that was so difficult and convoluted that people would be deterrred from even applying... more
Did weak Llewellyn put $100 million of State funds at risk? - 8th January 2010
The Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn has some serious questions to answer... more
Jobs and investment under threat, power prices could go up - 7th January 2010
A new report from the Energy Regulator says that he considers that Hydro has acted in an anti-competitive way... more
Aird gets it wrong - 6th January 2010
I’m glad to see the Treasurer now has the confidence to put his head up in public again after one of the worst years in his entire political career... more
Has Sturges dropped the ball on Flinders Island shipping…again? - 6th January 2010
On 27 October 2009, the Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, told Parliament that an audit of Southern Shipping’s finances was imminent... more
Sobering analysis of Tasmania’s economy to finish the year - 31st December 2009
Respected economist Saul Eslake has delivered a sobering analysis of Tasmania’s economy, and State Labor’s management of it... more
Tasmania - third highest taxing state - 29th December 2009
The IPA report on State taxation severity which rates Tasmania as the third highest taxing state highlights just how lazy and unresponsive the Labor Government has been over the last 11 years to ensure that as a state we can compete effectively against the other jurisdictions... more
Gutwein condemns ambulance attacks and calls for restraint on New Year’s Eve - 29th December 2009
The increasing incidences of violence against our ambulance officers is of serious concern... more
Llewellyn confirms doubts over financial viability of Musselroe wind farm - 28th December 2009
Energy Minister David Llewellyn has finally conceded what the Tasmanian Liberals have been saying for months now – the financial viability of the Musselroe wind farm is not guaranteed... more
Hodgman backs Stan Siejka Launceston Cycling Classic over four years - 27th December 2009
The Stan Siejka Launceston cycling classic to be guaranteed $100,000 funding over four years under a Hodgman Liberal Government... more
Treasurer wrong on Land Tax - 22nd December 2009
The Government spent the better part of the last six months arguing that not only could Land Tax never be abolished, but it couldn’t be changed at all until after the Henry Tax Review... more
Bartlett’s “beautiful set of numbers” – a $255 million blow-out in the operating deficit - 22nd December 2009
What David Bartlett crows about as a “beautiful set of numbers” is actually a $255 million-blow out in the Government’s net operating deficit over the next 5 years... more
Mid Year Report confirms worst fears - 21st December 2009
The most concerning aspect of the Preliminary Mid Year Report is that the Government is unlikely to meet one of its key fiscal targets relating to keeping the budget in the black... more
Where’s Aird? - 18th December 2009
The Government is ramping up its election campaigning, launching a staggering string of back flips. But Michael Aird as joint-architect, along with the Premier, of many of the Government’s problems has gone missing... more
Fixing Labor’s water and sewerage bungle - 17th December 2009
The Tasmanian Liberals today announced their four-point plan to fix Labor’s water and sewerage bungle, if elected to Government on March 20, 2010... more
Libs to freeze water and sewerage bills while we fix Labor’s bungle - 17th December 2009
The price of water and sewerage bills will be frozen for one year at current levels while the Tasmanian Liberals fix Labor’s water and sewerage bungle should a Hodgman Liberal Government be elected on March 20 next year... more
Water Wise Fund to empower Tasmanians to invest in water saving - 17th December 2009
A Hodgman Liberal Government will establish a $5 million Water Wise Fund as part of our plan to fix Labor’s water and sewerage mess... more
How our review of Labor’s bungled water and sewerage changes will work - 17th December 2009
A Hodgman Liberal Government will review the structure and operation of the water and sewerage corporations in Tasmania... more
O'Byrne should get in the ring to ensure Mundine holds a rematch with Geale - 13th December 2009
Reports that Anthony Mundine would rather give up his IBO Middleweight belt than fight a rematch against Daniel Geale are not surprising... more
Is Hydro going to be an energy retailer in Tasmania? - 13th December 2009
The Minister for Energy David Llewellyn must explain if he intends to let warring State owned electricity entities Hydro and Aurora loose in Tasmania to compete against each other for retail electricity customers... more
More losers than winners from Land Tax back flip - 11th December 2009
In Tasmania last year, there were around 52,000 properties that paid Land Tax. As a result of David Bartlett’s back flip yesterday, nearly 90% of these properties will not receive any relief this year... more
Unemployment rate doesn’t match Government rhetoric - 10th December 2009
While the Government pretends that nothing is wrong and that Tasmania is in an economic renaissance, unemployment is rising and other states are outperforming Tasmania as they come out of the global financial crisis quicker than us... more
Aird the Treasurer that dare not show his face – policy split between Bartlett and Aird? - 10th December 2009
For the second time in a row the Treasurer, Mr Aird, has failed to join Mr Bartlett in front of the media to defend Labor’s politically expedient policy backflips... more
Land Tax back flip - 10th December 2009
Today’s Land Tax back flip shows that the only people the Labor Party are listening to is their pollsters... more
Bartlett ignores Treasury, budget black hole opens up - 8th December 2009
Reports today that the Premier is unilaterally making major spending decisions without even talking to Treasury Secretary, Don Challen, is a new low for this out-of-control Premier... more
While PaperlinX workers lose their jobs, Labor mate gets $400k. golden handshake - 8th December 2009
The 252 PaperlinX workers who were yesterday told they will lose their jobs will today be rightly outraged by news of the $400,000 golden handshake to Labor mate Scott Gadd... more
Desperate, irresponsible Labor spending more than $1 million a day to cling to power - 6th December 2009
The desperate and irresponsible Labor Government has already made new spending promises of around $160 million since the 2009-10 budget was handed down... more
Hydro bludgeons Aurora - taxpayers lose millions - 3rd December 2009
It has been confirmed today that two Government-owned businesses have been engaged in a financial fight that has cost Tasmanians millions and required the regulator to step in to end their brutal conflict... more
Where is the 5 year NBN master plan? - 3rd December 2009
Last week, the Premier announced that he was implementing a 5 year master plan for the roll out of the NBN... more
Treasurer must release Land Tax data - 2nd December 2009
Over the past couple of weeks the Treasurer has made all sorts of excuses as to why he can’t release accurate estimates of how much Land Tax would be collected in 2009-10... more
Is the Treasurer out of favour, or just out! - 1st December 2009
It’s interesting to note that the architect of the water and sewerage debacle, Treasurer Michael Aird, was allowed nowhere near the announcement yesterday by the Premier... more
Short-term $30M political fix -but prices may go even higher - 1st December 2009
In the absence of an immediate review the Premier’s stunning back flip on water and sewerage yesterday was nothing more than a short term political fix that could lead to higher prices in the future if the Government’s stated aim of full cost recovery was still its goal... more
Minister must explain if Hydro cost Aurora $8.5M in profit, and why? - 29th November 2009
The Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, will be given an opportunity in Estimates this week to explain why taxpayers were denied $8.5M in pre-tax profits from Aurora... more
Premier must explain Tassie power price surge under ETS - 26th November 2009
With around 75 percent of Tasmania’s electricity generated through emission friendly renewable means, the Premier must explain why Tasmania’s electricity prices are set to rise as much as those in coal-hungry Victoria under the Rudd Government’s emissions trading scheme... more
Tassie budget blowout worst in the nation - 24th November 2009
New figures revealed today show that the Tasmanian Government’s blowout in spending was the worst in the nation... more
And so the personal attacks begin - 22nd November 2009
As predicted, the tired and visionless Labor Party has started rolling out negative and personal attacks in a desperate attempt to retain power... more
Musselroe Windfarm and retail competition dead in the water? - 22nd November 2009
The Labor Government must explain whether the Musselroe windfarm project has stalled and will now not be built... more
Treasurer has final say on Mount Stuart Drive - 20th November 2009
The fate of public housing developments on Mount Stuart Drive rests with the Treasurer... more
Public Housing must meet needs of all involved - 19th November 2009
Liberal Member for Bass, Peter Gutwein, today said that he understood the concerns of residents regarding Housing Tasmania’s plans to build multiple units in Newstead and Mt Stuart Drive in Newnham... more
Aird will not rule out wasting more money on spin and continues to attack Hobart City Council - 18th November 2009
In Parliament today the Treasurer continued with his attack on Hobart City Council regarding their track record on water and sewerage... more
Land Tax impacts on all Tasmanians - 16th November 2009
Land Tax has a massive impact on the Tasmanian economy, especially on poor Tasmanians... more
Government must commit to Liberal Land Tax solution - 15th November 2009
The current situation where Land Tax bills have in many cases increased by more than 100% and in some cases by up to 1000% has been described very critically by one leading commentator as 'the maladministration of land tax'... more
Labor knew Land Tax carnage was coming - 13th November 2009
Revelations that the Government was expecting the massive Land Tax gains to occur and had planned for these massive increases in its budget forecasts requires explanation... more
Job losses continue - 12th November 2009
Today’s unemployment figures are nothing to crow about. In fact they show a worrying trend. October 2009 was the 13th month in a row where the number of jobs in Tasmania shrank... more
Liberals will act on Land Tax - 12th November 2009
Land Tax needs to be abolished... more
Budget update - where is the hard data? - 11th November 2009
The Treasurer’s so-called “Progress Report” on budget savings provides about as much information as an ELS report card, and it not worth the paper it is written on... more
Flinders Island abandoned by the Government…again - 10th November 2009
While we welcome last week’s announcement of a substantial investment into renewable energy on King Island, this has once again highlighted the fact that Flinders Island has fallen off the radar... more
Bartlett must answers questions – for business’ sake - 10th November 2009
David Bartlett’s refusal to answer questions surrounding the bungled appointment of Richard McCreadie, and his apparent misleading of Parliament, is sending yet another bad signal to potential investors and Tasmanian businesses... more
Budget update and Land Tax windfall details must be released - 9th November 2009
The Treasurer must meet his commitment to provide updated information on the budget and in light of the horrendous Land Tax bills being received any update must include details on just how much Land Tax is expected to be collected this year... more
Aird promised budget update almost a month ago - where is it? - 8th November 2009
The Treasurer Michael Aird promised to provide an update on the state of the budget almost a month ago... more
Water and Sewerage - Aird a hypocrite on approaches to Federal Government for funding? - 8th November 2009
The Treasurer Michael Aird 'sold' his water and sewerage changes to councils on the basis that reform was necessary to ensure the State would be able to access Australian Government funds to offset the investment needed... more
Aird desperate and embarrassing - 5th November 2009
Treasurer Michael Aird is becoming increasingly desperate and as a result he is now starting to embarrass himself... more
Aird’s secret tax plan exposed - 5th November 2009
Now that Michael Aird has been forced to release his Business Tax and Regulation Reference Group’s submission to the Henry Review on tax reform, the Treasurer needs to explain whether or not he supports the recommendations contained within it... more
Minister must explain why taxpayers were savaged in the spot market - 3rd November 2009
At a time when Tasmanians are paying increasingly more for energy, Aurora has posted an operating profit of only $25 million, which is more than 16% lower than the $30 million achieved last year... more
Will the Treasurer blow the extra GST? - 2nd November 2009
Today’s Mid Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook report from the Federal Government shows that Tasmania is set to receive more GST revenue than expected... more
Aird must answer questions due to $340m. budget blow out - 1st November 2009
The Treasurer’s annual financial report for 2008/09 released last week confirmed that even though both the State and National economies were ravaged by the global financial crisis, the State Government still managed to spend $340m. more than its original budget... more
Aird must explain which municipalities will be the winners and losers from regional pricing - 1st November 2009
If, as the Treasurer now claims, there won’t be council by council charges of water and sewerage in the future, but rather, “regional” cost recovery, the Treasurer must explain if that means ratepayers who have already invested heavily will have to pay for those in neighbouring and nearby councils who haven’t... more
2010 AFL fixture-Tassie dudded by AFL - 30th October 2009
The AFL appears to have broken the spirit – if not the letter – of Tasmania’s Hawthorn deal with the 2010 AFL fixture... more
Treasurer’s misleading claims exposed - 29th October 2009
The Treasurer’s water and sewerage propaganda has been exposed as misleading... more
Treasurer confirms he’s wasted money and blown the budget - 29th October 2009
The Treasurer’s Annual Financial Report for 2008-09 confirms that the Government blew its budget by $339 million. This is even higher than the $311 million blow out the Treasurer predicted a couple of months ago... more
Either Aird is confused – or he is deliberately misleading - 28th October 2009
Either the Treasurer is confused and doesn’t understand his own report, or he is seeking to deliberately mislead the people of Tasmania... more
Flinders Island community deserves a competent Minister - 27th October 2009
Information contained in a Legislative Council Select Committee discussion paper on transport services to Tasmania’s islands shows that the Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, should have known that there were issues regarding Flinders Island shipping as early as June this year... more
What the Treasurer doesn’t want Tasmanians to know about water and sewerage - 27th October 2009
Today’s belligerent and hysterical outburst from the Treasurer in Parliament shows that he is very concerned that the truth about his water and sewerage changes may get out... more
When will competition lead to lower power prices? - 26th October 2009
Today’s official opening of the Tamar Valley Power Station is very much welcomed in that it will provide for the very first time in Tasmania competition to Hydro generation... more
Sturges must answer when he knew about Southern Condor safety concerns, and what he did about them - 25th October 2009
Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges needs to urgently explain when he first knew about the safety concerns on the Southern Condor, and what he has done about them... more
Where’s the money coming from, Mr Aird? - 23rd October 2009
The Treasurer must immediately tell Tasmanians where the funds for today’s tourism announcement are coming from... more
Flinders shipping fiasco continues - 22nd October 2009
Whilst a contingency plan is certainly needed for sea freight to Flinders Island I remain concerned that Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges still fails to understand the crux of the problem... more
Flinders Island shipping - 21st October 2009
We will closely examine what Graeme Sturges has announced today to see whether it delivers the reliability of service which Flinders Island residents deserve... more
Tasmanian AFL team - 21st October 2009
Reports that AFL boss Andrew Demetriou has finally seen the light and agreed that Tasmania is the logical place for a new AFL team are very encouraging... more
Questions David Bartlett needs to answer at the National Press Club today - 20th October 2009
When the Premier boasts at the National Press Club today of the “miracle” Tasmanian economy which is allegedly all his good work, he must answer the following questions... more
New concerns about Southern Shipping’s contract - 20th October 2009
News today that the owners of the Bridport premises have served a writ on the owner of Southern Shipping raises new concerns about the status of Southern Shipping’s shipping contract to Flinders Island... more
Access Economics - 19th October 2009
Today’s Access Economics report highlights that Tasmania’s economy has remained steady more through accident than good management and that we may struggle to face the challenges that confront us because of the Government’s failed reforms and general policy inertia... more
Why is the Flinders Island plan a secret? - 19th October 2009
The secrecy surrounding the Infrastructure Minister’s contingency plan for Flinders Island shipping is unnecessary and causing undue stress on the Flinders Island community... more
Gutwein calls for interim solution for Flinders Island - 18th October 2009
The Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, has claimed that the contract for shipping services with Flinders Island has now been breached... more
What is the plan now Sturgo? - 16th October 2009
The Minister for Infrastructure, Graeme Sturges, has claimed that the contract for shipping services with Flinders Island has now been breached... more
Better late than never, Mr Sturges - 15th October 2009
It’s better late than never that Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, finally read the contract... more
Flinders Island fiasco rolls on with no end in sight - 15th October 2009
News that the police have escorted the captain of the stricken Matthew Flinders off his ship, blocking the port at Flinders Island has enraged and concerned the local community... more
Aird’s budget back flip - 14th October 2009
As part of the Tasmanian Liberals’ Alternative Budget, we proposed to introduce quarterly reporting on the budget and also to extract better returns from government businesses... more
Minister continues to hide behind manifestly inadequate contract - 14th October 2009
The Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, has continually said that the contract has not been breached. However many questions remain unanswered... more
What now for Flinders Island? - 13th October 2009
The situation on Flinders Island is becoming more serious by the day... more
CommSec Report - 12th October 2009
The CommSec ‘State of the States’ report makes some positive comments about Tasmania which I welcome however it also reveals some worrying underlying trends... more
Flinders Island shipping crisis - 12th October 2009
The State Government must provide to the Flinders Council the legal advice it has received that it is using to say it cannot intervene in the dispute between the crew of the Matthew Flinders and the management of Southern Shipping... more
Kim Booth must condemn vandals - 12th October 2009
Bass Greens MHA Kim Booth must unequivocally condemn the vandalism to the private residence of the Chairman of Gunns... more
Attacks on private individuals should be condemned - 11th October 2009
The reported attacks on the family home of John Gay are disgraceful... more
Flinders Island shipping services - 9th October 2009
Further problems reported with Flinders Island shipping services today send a clear message that the Government needs to bring this matter to a head and get serious about fixing the problem... more
Betfair - 9th October 2009
The Treasurer’s embarrassing handling of his portfolio continues... more
Treasurer calls own report “mischief making” - 8th October 2009
While it is understandable that the Treasurer is concerned about the anger and frustration in the community that his water and sewerage shake up has caused, it is a bit rich for him to criticise the Opposition for simply quoting from reports he has released and then label it mischief making... more
Unemployment challenges - 8th October 2009
Today’s unemployment data shows that since September last year 6,900 jobs have disappeared from the Tasmanian economy and while trend unemployment remains steady, seasonally adjusted our unemployment rate has jumped nearly half a percent to 5.5%... more
What the water and sewerage ads didn’t say… - 7th October 2009
Once again, the Treasurer has opted for spin over substance with regard to water and sewerage... more
Water and sewerage costs another $90,000 - 6th October 2009
Today we have proof that the Government has failed with its water and sewerage reforms, given it is now resorting to a $90,000 advertising campaign to sell the unsellable... more
More water and sewerage pain to come - 6th October 2009
In Parliament today, the Treasurer reiterated his commitment to increasing water and sewerage bills every year for years to come... more
Flinders Island fiasco - Premier must provide guarantees - 3rd October 2009
The Premier must today provide a guarantee the people of Flinders Island will have a shipping service that meets the needs of its businesses and residents... more
Sturges must act on Flinders Island shipping - 2nd October 2009
Problems with shipping to and from Flinders Island need to be resolved quickly... more
Concerns for Flinders Island freight services - 1st October 2009
The Minister for Infrastructure must address the concerns for the viability of the Bridport Based Southern Shipping Company’s sea freight service to Flinders Island... more
Government’s wasteful ways must end - 1st October 2009
The State Labor Government may not be forced to cut so many public service jobs if it reined in spending by senior bureaucrats... more
Did Labor even ask for Rudd infrastructure funds for water/sewerage? - 30th September 2009
It’s time the State Labor Government revealed whether it even applied for the federal funding that it expected to underpin the infrastructure investment required as part of water and sewerage reforms... more
Liberals demand independent review of Water and Sewerage debacle - 29th September 2009
The Treasurer is completely out of touch with the concerns of many Tasmanians who are struggling to cope with the increases to the cost of water and sewerage they are being asked to pay... more
Aird must deal with water and sewerage mess - 25th September 2009
Now that the Treasurer has returned to Tasmania, he should immediately start working to sort out the water and sewerage mess... more
Pollies’ pay freeze must happen - 24th September 2009
The Tasmanian Liberals have been calling for politicians’ wages to be frozen since the start of this year... more
Water and sewerage costs – just the beginning of Labor’s bungled reforms - 23rd September 2009
The pain of water and sewerage bills is only going to get worse, and the State Government has a lot of questions to answer about the impact on ratepayers in future years... more
Government credibility on the line - 21st September 2009
The State Government is covering up its performance in meeting key budget savings, reinforcing as a sham the Premier’s so-called commitment to restoring trust... more
Footy plan must include Hawks - 21st September 2009
The business case for a Tasmanian AFL team - that the Government did not want made public - shows that the long-term aim of entering the AFL is not beyond us... more
Have you blown the Budget again, Premier? - 20th September 2009
Last financial year, in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis, the State Government spent $311 million more than it budgeted... more
ACL workers need support - 17th September 2009
There is no doubt that the ACL workers who face redundancy need support from the Government... more
Statement on ACL - 16th September 2009
My thoughts are with the 120 men and women who may lose their jobs and the families of the ACL employees who face redundancy... more
More details required from Aird - 16th September 2009
The Liberals have today written to the State Government to request an urgent briefing on the major project being courted for the North West Coast... more
Line in the sand disappears - 15th September 2009
Today’s announcement that the taxpayer will foot a $50,000 bill for the Treasurer to, amongst other things, spruik the pulp mill to potential financiers just proves the Premier can’t be trusted on anything he says... more
Is the Budget blowing out again, Treasurer? - 15th September 2009
Last year, in the midst of the Global Financial Crisis, the State Government managed to spend $311 million more than it budgeted... more
Land Tax reform - 14th September 2009
The Treasurer’s recent desperate attack on the Liberals’ Land Tax reforms is further evidence of how tired, stale and out of ideas this 11 year old Government has become... more
Labor’s $1.3 billion blow out - 13th September 2009
The State Labor Government has confirmed its position as one of Tasmania’s worst financial managers... more
Treasurer’s competence under a cloud over TOTE - 11th September 2009
Michael Aird’s handling of the TOTE sale process has been a total fiasco. From start to finish, this has been nothing but one disaster after another... more
Participation down as jobs disappear and people give up - 10th September 2009
Today’s unemployment stats underline the need for the Government to get real about job losses in our State... more
No hope for TOTE float as Treasurer runs out of options - 10th September 2009
The Treasurer is fast running out of options for his TOTE sale. He can either sell TOTE, float it on the stock exchange or withdraw it from sale... more
Is electricity competition a dead duck? - 6th September 2009
The Treasurer must explain whether Tasmanian households and small businesses will receive the benefits of competition in the electricity market, which was originally expected to occur in July of 2010... more
When will $350M Musselroe wind farm be underway? - 4th September 2009
As the Federal Government’s legislation mandating a Renewable Energy Target was passed more than two weeks ago, the State Government must now outline what the timeline will be for completion of the $350 million Musselroe wind farm... more
Has the TOTE sale been scratched? - 4th September 2009
Yesterday’s refusal by the Treasurer to answer a simple question in the Legislative Council on the progress of the TOTE sale is a concerning sign that all may not be proceeding as planned... more
Health Fat Cats - symptom of wider problems - 29th August 2009
The revelation that Health bureaucrats have received pay rises of up to $20,000 per annum whilst Doctors have been in a pay freeze for 15 months is outrageous and unacceptable but sadly it’s symptomatic of much wider problems... more
Treasurer takes yet another position on ACL - 27th August 2009
The Treasurer’s peculiar behaviour over ACL continues... more
State Government urged to act on silt - 25th August 2009
Today in Parliament I tabled a motion calling on the State Government to take action on the Tamar River silt issue... more
Bartlett fails to rule out power grab by Feds - 25th August 2009
Premier David Bartlett today failed to rule out allowing the Federal Government to take over collecting all state and local taxes, fees and charges... more
Labor’s Canberra tax grab - 24th August 2009
The State Government must declare whether it supports the push for Canberra to collect all taxes – including State and local taxes... more
Labor Fails Bass - 23rd August 2009
There is no doubt that both State and Federal Labor is failing the people of Bass... more
What is the timeline for $300M Musselroe wind farm? - 23rd August 2009
With the passing of the Federal Government’s legislation mandating a Renewable Energy Target last week it is now incumbent on the State Government to outline what the timeline will be for completion of the $350 million Musselroe wind farm... more
Gutwein welcomes Armitage's call for silt raking - 23rd August 2009
I welcome the Deputy Mayor of Launceston’s support for raking of the Tamar River to assist with the removal of silt... more
Plan needed for saving jobs - 21st August 2009
The Tasmanian Government needs to end its inconsistency and set out clear guidelines for when it will provide financial or other support to businesses... more
Recognise Ricky Ponting - 20th August 2009
Today I called on the Parliament to wish Ricky Ponting and the Australian team the best of luck for the Fifth Ashes Test, beginning this evening our time... more
Treasurer will not rule out Budget blowout - 20th August 2009
The Treasurer failed to rule out this morning another blowout in budget expenses... more
GST formula changes could king-hit Tasmania - 16th August 2009
The GST pie is only a certain size, so the inevitable consequence would be that Tasmania, with our slower population growth rate, would lose out... more
Response to the Preliminary Outcomes Report - 14th August 2009
The Preliminary Outcomes Report proves that this Government and the Treasurer are incapable of showing the leadership and vision that is needed to steer our economy through these difficult times... more
Can flood flows be used to reduce Tamar silt? - 14th August 2009
The flood waters that are expected to flow through the Tamar River could have an unexpected benefit for Launceston... more
Aird shoots himself in the foot…again - 13th August 2009
The farce that is Treasurer Michael Aird’s implementation of water and sewerage reform continues... more
Water and sewerage farce gets worse - 12th August 2009
It comes as no surprise that local councils have rejected the State Government’s attempts to force the cost of concessions for water and sewerage services onto local councils... more
What standards does the Premier expect of his Ministers? - 11th August 2009
Yesterday’s revelation that the Treasurer knew all about the hastily aborted Brand Tasmania TV Series and apparently gave the green light to the project less than two weeks before he scrapped it leads to only one of two possibilities... more
The results are in: Bridport rejects council parking plan - 4th August 2009
Last week I distributed over 1000 surveys to Bridport residents asking them for their view on the proposed changes to parking on Bridport’s main street and the results are now back... more
Are redundancies on track? - 30th July 2009
The State Government must advise how many State servants have lodged applications for redundancies in the last month... more
Liberals will tackle wind energy planning issues - 28th July 2009
A Hodgman Liberal Government will address the planning issues – and tariff structures – that are an impediment to private investment in renewable energy... more
Bridport main street parking survey to be conducted - 26th July 2009
I have been inundated with calls from Bridport residents who were concerned about what the council is planning to do with the Main street makeover, especially in relation to the proposed changes to parking... more
State Government should adopt Liberals renewable energy policy - 26th July 2009
Nichols Poultry is one Tasmanian company that has already made a significant investment in wind power, but the State Government should be encouraging other private businesses, local councils and the new water and sewerage bodies to also consider such options... more
The Budget is not a magic pudding! - 25th July 2009
The Government has finally conceded the need to establish an Ethics Commission and the Premier has said that he will fully fund “the body that is required”... more
Long term strategies needed to drive economy forward - 21st July 2009
The latest Access Economics reports confirms the need for the Tasmanian Government to plan properly for the future, and to put in place now the foundations for a stronger economic future... more
Tasmania’s GST share must be protected - 20th July 2009
The proposal by the Commonwealth Grants Commission to give more GST revenue to faster growing States must be totally condemned... more
Dialogue needed on Childcare Centre closures - 20th July 2009
The State Government must stop sitting on their hands and must initiate discussions with Stepping Stones childcare services on ways to stop regional childcare centres closing... more
Winding up wind energy - 20th July 2009
The wind turbine installed by one innovative Tasmanian company as one solution to rising energy costs and a move towards more sustainable power generation shows just what can be done... more
Backing business to invest in renewable energy - 19th July 2009
The Tasmanian Liberals will develop a visionary renewable energy policy framework... more
McGinity Rally - 16th July 2009
This whole affair has had a terrible impact on Dr McGinity, the North East community and on health services... more
Is the Treasurer punting on TOTE? - 15th July 2009
It’s been reported that indicative bids for TOTE closed last night, amid speculation that the Government may be considering listing TOTE on the stock exchange as a last ditch effort to get a better sale price... more
Government shamed into doing more for problem gambling - 13th July 2009
We welcome initiatives that will reduce the impact of gambling on the community. However, this is an issue that the Government put in the too hard basket for too long... more
Geale-Mundine re-match must be in Tasmania - 12th July 2009
The re-match between Tasmania’s Daniel Geale and Anthony Mundine must be held in Tasmania... more
Hands off the Tasmanian Community Fund! - 12th July 2009
The State Opposition has strongly condemned the Bartlett Government’s plan to roll the Tasmanian Community Fund into a new fund, along with the Community Service Levy which is derived from gambling profits... more
Aird steps away from his own water and sewerage reforms - 9th July 2009
Michael Aird must step up, show some leadership and work to fix the major flaws in the implementation of water and sewerage reform... more
Jobs in Tasmania disappearing fast - 9th July 2009
While the trend unemployment rate remains steady at 5.3%, the number of people employed full-time in Tasmania fell by 900 people, from 157,800 in May to 156,900 in June... more
Water and sewerage farce continues - 8th July 2009
Michael Aird’s water and sewerage reforms are quickly becoming farcical... more
PAYG electricity price hike starts today - 8th July 2009
The exorbitant increases to Pay As You Go (PAYG) electricity customers come into effect today... more
Water corporations need to sort out administrative log jams - 7th July 2009
Labor’s bungling of water and sewerage reforms has intensified today, with reports that the assessment of building applications is still being worked out with local councils and could take months, and that some staff are sitting at desks without access to the essential tools they need to respond to even basic enquiries... more
Minister must expedite McGinity suspension farce - 7th July 2009
The State Opposition has called on the Minister for Health, Lara Giddings, to immediately contact the Medical Council of Tasmania to discuss the provision of extra resources to allow the investigation into Scottsdale doctor Paul McGinity to be resolved as soon as possible... more
Treasury and Economic Development Ministries must be separated - 5th July 2009
The State Opposition welcomes the further support for King Island meat workers announced last week by the Treasurer... more
Will budget guarantee for councils be enough? - 3rd July 2009
Revelations that the new water and sewerage corporations will not be able to meet the previously expected dividend stream back to councils as a result of blow outs in expenditure are very concerning... more
Budget blow out looms - 2nd July 2009
The Government has long claimed that it won’t go into net debt. However, its Budget shows that it is already perilously close to going into the red... more
TCCI survey points to Government inaction on the economy - 2nd July 2009
Today’s TCCI Tasmanian Survey of Business Expectations reveals that the Government is suffering from policy inertia on the major problems affecting Tasmania... more
Unions must accept wage restraint is needed - 1st July 2009
The Government must demand that unions don’t cripple the manufacturing sector in Tasmania by seeking wage increases that are out of step with the principle of wage restraint... more
Water and sewerage reforms botched already - 30th June 2009
The government appears to have already botched the water and sewerage reforms that take effect from tomorrow... more
Has Treasury been politicised or did the Premier mislead? - 28th June 2009
At Estimates last week the independence of Treasury came under scrutiny as a result of statements made by the Premier in Parliament on 5 March 2009... more
Treasurer must talk to ACL - 24th June 2009
The clock is ticking on ACL. If the Government can’t finalise its loan offer to ACL by 5 pm today, the company could collapse... more
Government misleading on Future Fund - 23rd June 2009
The Treasurer appears to have hung the Premier out to dry over the Premier’s recent political stunt in Parliament on the Tasmanian Liberals’ Future Fund policy... more
Treasurer asleep at the wheel on ACL - 23rd June 2009
270 jobs hang in the balance at ACL. The Government, and the Treasurer, will decide their fate... more
Action on Pay As You Go power price hike needed - 22nd June 2009
While I am glad that the Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, has agreed to approach Aurora about advertising a comparison of Aurora Pay As You Go charges, it is not good enough that these customers are being hit with some of the largest increases in prices of all customers... more
Minister must explain PAYG electricity rip off - 21st June 2009
Energy Minister David Llewellyn must immediately explain why Aurora is charging exorbitant increases to Pay As You Go (PAYG) electricity customers from July... more
How much has the Ritchie staff scandal cost taxpayers? - 19th June 2009
The Treasurer must correct his clearly misleading statements to both Houses of Parliament regarding Ms Allison Ritchie’s staffing arrangements and also reveal how much it cost the taxpayer to over staff her office... more
Gutwein calls on O’Byrne to ‘get in the ring’ for Daniel Geale - 18th June 2009
Today I called on the Minister for Sport and Member for Bass, Michelle O’Byrne, to begin fighting for the rematch between Daniel Geale and Anthony Mundine to be held in Tasmania and preferably in Launceston, Daniel’s home town... more
Has Aird misled on Ritchie scandal? - 18th June 2009
It now appears that the Treasurer has not only misled the Upper House, but in repeating his statement from last night in the Lower House this morning, he has now misled both Houses... more
The economic renaissance we had to have - 18th June 2009
The Premier flew into a rage in Parliament this morning after I reminded him of his ill-conceived and ill-timed statement a few months ago that despite the economic challenges facing Tasmania, we were in an “economic renaissance”... more
Government misleads over directions to Government businesses - 17th June 2009
The Premier today clearly misled Parliament regarding the Government’s ability to be able to provide directions to government businesses... more
Some budget honesty required - 15th June 2009
The likelihood, and severe implications, of Labor not meeting its revenue and expense targets in the State Budget demand it implement quarterly financial reporting... more
2009 Budget Reply - 14th June 2009
On Tuesday, Mr Hodgman will be delivering the Reply to the Budget. It will be economically responsible and deliver some tough savings measures... more
Budget misses a golden opportunity to support business - 12th June 2009
This is a short-sighted, visionless budget that completely misses the mark and is all about getting the Premier through the next election... more
Answers must come on State Budget day - 7th June 2009
This Thursday the Government will no longer have anywhere left to hide regarding how it will manage the State’s finances through these difficult economic times... more
Concerns over power price rise - 3rd June 2009
The State Government must explain whether the plan by Aurora to increase power bills for residential customers by an extra 7% and business customers by up to 15% will mean that Aurora will provide a higher dividend to State coffers in this year’s budget... more
O’Byrne must put Tassie option to “trash talking” Mundine - 3rd June 2009
Given that Anthony Mundine, while trash talking Tasmanian boxer Daniel Geale, has committed to giving fans a rematch if that is “what they want” the Minister for Sport, Michelle O’Byrne, now has no excuses and should contact both boxers and put a case for the rematch to be held in Tasmania... more
Power prices set to soar once more? - 2nd June 2009
The State Government must explain why Aurora Energy is requesting to raise prices by more than expected on the 1st of July... more
Gutwein calls for Council and Business lobby to get behind Geale push - 1st June 2009
Shadow Treasurer and Member for Bass Peter Gutwein has called on the Launceston City Council and the Launceston Chamber of Commerce to get behind the push for a rematch in Launceston between Anthony Mundine and Daniel Geale... more
Geale v Mundine re-match in Tasmania? - 31st May 2009
The State Government should formally approach the management of both Daniel Geale and Anthony Mundine to discuss the possibility of holding a rematch in Tasmania... more
Treasurer’s shameful week continues - 29th May 2009
There is no doubt that the recent budget leaks have embarrassed the Treasurer and seriously damaged the government... more
Scottsdale Community Cabinet - 24th May 2009
The State Opposition has called on the State Government to focus on delivering both immediate and long term solutions to unlock the potential of the North-East of the State when it holds a community cabinet in Scottsdale today... more
Pay-out could take significant amount of savings - 24th May 2009
David Bartlett’s chaotic handling of the abolition of the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage & the Arts will see over 11 per cent of the projected ‘savings’ being lost in the first year... more
Premier hangs himself and his own Treasurer on debt spiral claim - 20th May 2009
The Premier and his Treasurer are split regarding the State Government’s policy on debt... more
Aird and Rudd at odds - 19th May 2009
Treasurer Michael Aird refused to endorse Prime Minister Rudd’s forecasts that the national economy will grow by more than 4 per cent in real terms and GST revenue to Tasmania will increase during 2012-13 and 2013-14... more
Meeting with the CPSU - 18th May 2009
Today the Tasmanian Liberals’ had a constructive discussion with the CPSU. What we found is that while the current economic circumstances are challenging, we must work through the issues together and we must not take a slash and burn approach to the public sector... more
Budget Blackhole - Now $1.5 Billion? - 17th May 2009
We can expect this year’s state budget to confirm that at least $1.4 billion in revenues over the next 4 years have been lost, and this loss of revenue could reach as high as $1.5 billion... more
Water and Sewerage: Where is the money coming from? - 17th May 2009
The State Government’s bungling of water and sewerage reform appears to be about to force Labor to provide local government with interim financial assistance as local government adjust to the state imposed reform... more
Labor plays catch-up - 16th May 2009
The growing problems of the state budget and issues relating to the public service are of the Premier’s own making. He is panicking and making rash decisions because his government lacks strategic leadership and any coherent plan to see Tasmania through these difficult times... more
Bartlett pork barrelling demonstrates ignorance of financial challenges - 15th May 2009
The Premier’s obliteration of the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts all for the sake of $15 million in savings, of which only $2.1 million will be in next year’s budget, demonstrates how panicked and out of touch he is... more
Libs to discuss budget options with CPSU - 14th May 2009
The Premier’s belligerent stance on managing Tasmania’s ailing budget cannot go on... more
Federal Budget response - 12th May 2009
Tasmania has been shafted by the Federal Government... more
Horror federal budget for Tasmania? - 11th May 2009
The State Labor Government will have nowhere to hide after tomorrow night’s Federal budget and must explain exactly how it will manage its own budget as a result of the significant drop expected in GST receipts and other payments payable to Tasmania... more
Campaign against Gunns staff should be condemned - 9th May 2009
The campaign by TAP to convince local people to stop buying locally from Gunns stores should be condemned... more
Tasmanian unemployment shock - 7th May 2009
No matter how you look at it, the number of unemployed Tasmanians is growing at a frightening speed... more
Councils don’t understand impact of reforms – LGAT - 7th May 2009
I am concerned by LGAT President Mike Gaffney’s statement regarding the State Government’s water and sewerage reforms when he said yesterday that: “there is not a council in the state that truly understands the specific financial impact of this reform”... more
Government should talk to RSPCA - 6th May 2009
The State Government should meet with the RSPCA to discuss the financial challenges that the organisation faces... more
ANZ Building: the most expensive in town? - 5th May 2009
When Tasmanian families are burdened by actual and looming job losses, the State Labor Government’s considerable waste continues unabated and the ANZ building is one example of this... more
RSPCA needs support - 5th May 2009
It is disappointing to hear that the Tasmanian RSPCA is suffering financial problems... more
Water and Sewerage concessions – Why the delay? - 4th May 2009
The State Labor Government has broken another promise with the failure to introduce legislation to identify water and sewerage concessions for pensioners and low income earners... more
Review of directors’ remuneration must be open and independent - 4th May 2009
Last week in response to demands from the Tasmanian Liberals, the Premier accepted that there must be a review of remuneration paid to directors of government business enterprises and other government bodies... more
Taxpayers need guarantees on TOTE sale - 29th April 2009
The Leader of the State Opposition, Will Hodgman, said today that the Tasmanian Liberals would seek to ensure that Tasmanian taxpayers were not dudded by the proposed sale of TOTE... more
Budget black hole confirmed - 28th April 2009
The admission today by the Premier that the Tasmanian budget may be in deficit until 2012 confirms that there is indeed a massive budget black hole... more
Gutwein welcomes committee pay review - 28th April 2009
It is good to see that the Premier has finally seen the light and has backed the Liberals’ call for a review of wages paid to those sitting on boards and committees... more
Pay freeze for pollies too, not just public servants - 27th April 2009
If the Premier believes that wage restraint is necessary, then he needs to support the Tasmanian Liberals’ calls for an extension on freezing politicians’ pay... more
Liberal palliative care promise will help LGH - 24th April 2009
The Liberals’ pledge to fund an additional four palliative care beds in Northern Tasmania at St Luke’s within 30 days of election will ease the pressures on the Launceston General Hospital... more
Government finally accepts Liberals view on energy efficiency education - 24th April 2009
Shadow Minister for Energy, Peter Gutwein said that he was pleased that the State Government had finally accepted his view that Aurora was not the most appropriate organisation to be educating people about how to use less energy... more
Aird’s bungled reforms will be costly - 23rd April 2009
The announcement by the Auditor-General that he will not investigate whether councils are passing on the full saving of water and sewerage reform confirms that this was just another attempt by the Treasurer to bully councils who were prepared to raise concerns about his new reforms... more
Aird out of touch? Or just lazy and ignorant? - 20th April 2009
Treasurer Michael Aird's response to genuine concerns regarding the impact of his new water and sewerage reforms on ratepayers demonstrates that he is either lazy or ignorant or both... more
Here are some ideas Mr Bartlett! - 20th April 2009
As the Premier has said that he wants “constructive” ideas on how to manage the issue of declining GST revenues he could start with this one:... more
Did councils know that charges for water and sewerage could rise more than 100%? - 19th April 2009
As the Treasurer continues to refuse to answer questions regarding the true impact of his water and sewerage reforms, councils should reveal exactly what they have been told about the impact of the new reforms on their ratepayers... more
Aird must explain true impact of reforms - 18th April 2009
Treasurer, Michael Aird, needs to be open and honest with the Tasmanian people about the true impact of the full cost recovery nature of his water and sewerage reforms... more
Tasmanians punished for Government’s lack of vision - 17th April 2009
Before the global financial crisis hit, the State Government enjoyed incredibly favourable economic conditions. However, it failed to think strategically, forgot the basics and didn’t invest in Tasmania’s woeful water and sewerage infrastructure... more
Water and sewerage prices to rise 50% - 16th April 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said today the revelation that Hobart City Council ratepayers could end up paying nearly 50% more for their water and sewerage services as a result of the State Government’s reforms requires explanation... more
TCCI priority list welcome - 16th April 2009
The release by the TCCI of its strategic plan the foreshadowing of an election checklist is a welcome development. However, it also serves to highlight the failures of the current State Government... more
Treasurer electorally impotent? - 14th April 2009
The State Treasurer simply cannot continue to refuse to answer questions about the remuneration of the chairman and board of the Tasmanian Water & Sewerage Corporations as somehow having nothing to do with him... more
Up to $255,000 for the Chairman but how much for the Board? - 12th April 2009
With the Chair of Tasmania’s Water and Sewerage Corporations earning up to $255,000 for working just 3 days per week, the State Government and the new Corporation need to come clean and outline in total how much Tasmanians will be paying for board level appointments to the new entities... more
Be transparent about the state of the budget: call - 7th April 2009
The Tasmanian Liberals have backed union calls for the State Government to provide more information about the state of the budget before demanding unions make a decision on either a pay freeze or job losses... more
Water and sewerage changes - Labor must explain - 2nd April 2009
Simmering concerns about the State Labor Government’s arrogant and ham-fisted handling of major water and sewerage changes have been highlighted with the Hobart City Council’s decision to place advertisements demanding Treasurer Michael Aird and the State Labor Government explain exactly what is happening, Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today... more
Clock ticking on King Island jobs - 2nd April 2009
The Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, says the State Government is on notice when it comes to nearly 100 jobs at the King Island abattoir... more
Time for credit card rates to come down - 1st April 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has once again called on banks and financial institutions to contribute to stimulating the economy by cutting exorbitant credit card interest rates... more
3,000 North East patients need support - 31st March 2009
3,000 people in the North East have been left wondering about the future of their long serving GP Dr McGinity, as a result of his suspension by the Medical Council of Tasmania... more
Aird’s cash splash needs scrutiny - 27th March 2009
Following revelations in Parliament this week that the process for handing out small community grants was a sham, there are now calls for further scrutiny of the process the Treasurer uses to hand out taxpayer funds... more
Aird confirms sham process - 26th March 2009
The Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said that it was confirmed in Parliament today that the State Government’s process for giving out small community grants was a complete sham... more
Liberals get guarantees from Premier on ACL - 25th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said he was pleased that the Premier today agreed to provide up to 50 per cent of the necessary credit facility required by ACL Bearings in Launceston, whilst also accepting that the conditions of the current $2.5 million loan facility needed revising... more
Public sector jobs up in the air - 24th March 2009
The Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has expressed his concern that the Treasurer has refused once again to explain how the State Government intends to cut costs in the public service... more
Hands Across The Water Concert – A great day out for the family - 19th March 2009
The Hands Across The Water Concert for Victorian bushfire victims this Saturday provides a wonderful opportunity for families in Launceston and the surrounding area to have a great day out, and at the same time contribute to the bushfire relief effort, Liberal Member for Bass Peter Gutwein said today... more
Treasurer fails on interest rates - 18th March 2009
State Treasurer Michael Aird’s failure to demand that banks look to pass on greater interest rate cuts to credit card and business customers is difficult to understand, Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today... more
Time for credit card rates to come down - 17th March 2009
“Banks and financial institutions must contribute to stimulating the economy by cutting the exorbitant credit card interest rates they are currently charging,” Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today... more
Labor needs to spell out its $250m wage saving plan - 16th March 2009
Now that the Treasurer has inadvertently let the cat out of the bag, the State Government must explain how it intends to slash $256 million from public sector wages by 2011/12... more
Bartlett and Aird must explain glaring discrepancy - 15th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has demanded that the Premier, David Bartlett, and Treasurer, Michael Aird, explain the glaring discrepancy between their views of the effect on the public sector of the Government’s planned budget cuts... more
Aird confirms Government plan has always been to slash public sector wages bill - 14th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said that after months of denial, Treasurer Michael Aird had finally admitted what the State Liberals suspected, namely that the Government has been planning to slash wages and jobs in the public service since late last year... more
Bartlett must start at the top - 14th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein today demanded that the Premier match his rhetoric with action and demonstrate leadership on the issue of wage restraint by immediately adopting the Liberals policy of an extended freeze for politicians’ salaries and outlining what he intends for Tasmania’s highest paid public servants... more
Budget con must be explained - 13th March 2009
The Premier must explain why he has not budgeted for the generous pay rises his government has negotiated with the public sector... more
Labor’s slush fund exposed as a ‘closed shop’ - 12th March 2009
The documentation released to support the State Labor Government’s Urban Renewal and Heritage Fund confirms suspicions that the fund is a slush fund for Government use only, Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today... more
Minister clueless on process for $25 million fund - 12th March 2009
The Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, has been completely unable to provide basic details relating to the process for distributing the government’s $25 million Urban Renewal and Heritage Fund, that his own department administers... more
Sturges continues to bypass commonsense on Dilston - 11th March 2009
In Parliament today the Tasmanian Liberals raised the Dilston bypass safety debacle as a Matter of Public Importance... more
Windmill Hill residents should park for free - 11th March 2009
Tasmanian Liberal Member for Bass, Peter Gutwein, today raised in Parliament the concerns of residents who live near the Windmill Hill aquatic centre... more
Cuts on the way for departments - 11th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said today that Minister Michelle O’Byrne’s portfolio seemed set to suffer significant budget cuts as she would not rule out cuts of up to 10 per cent... more
Job ads plummet - 10th March 2009
The State Government should explain whether it stands by its decision to revise its unemployment forecast down for 2008-09 in the mid-year financial report, following the sharp decline in job advertisements released today... more
Government hopeless on HOAP - 10th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, said today that the Premier had been neglectful in his handling of a vital program to assist Tasmanians own their own home... more
NE job concerns mean Musselroe wind farm imperative - 8th March 2009
With concerns being raised, including by the CMFEU, regarding the loss of up to 30 jobs at Forest Enterprises Australia, coupled with the recent closure of the Gladstone mine in the state’s North-East, with the loss of 21 jobs, the State Labor Government must now make good on its past promises to advance the Musselroe wind farm project... more
State Labor must repay HOAP mortgagees - 7th March 2009
The admission by the State Labor Government that it failed to quickly pass on interest rate cuts to low-income mortgagees is very disturbing, Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today... more
Premier wrong on Future Fund - 6th March 2009
Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has rejected Treasury’s bizarre costing of the Future Fund policy and called on the Premier to give a commitment that he won’t politicise Treasury... more
Action needed on Dilston - 6th March 2009
The Tasmanian Liberal members for Bass, Sue Napier and Peter Gutwein, are stepping up their calls for the State Government to make sure the proposed Dilston Bypass is safe... more
Tax rise not ruled out - 5th March 2009
In Parliament today, the Premier refused to rule out raising existing taxes as part of the next budget... more
Premier must explain where cuts are coming from - 3rd March 2009
The Premier last week told hard working public servants "we need you and we cannot afford to lose you which is why we are looking for other ways to make essential savings"... more
How much will an AFL team cost? - 3rd March 2009
Shadow Minister for Sport and Recreation, Peter Gutwein, has called on the State Government to reveal just how much an AFL team will cost Tasmania... more
O’Byrne must release details of AFL business case - 2nd March 2009
As speculation mounts that the new AFL team proposed for Western Sydney may not proceed, the Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, today called on the Minister for Sport and Recreation, Michelle O'Byrne, to release the details of the State Government’s financial commitment contained in its bid for an AFL team... more
Bartlett must lead on salary restraint - 28th February 2009
If the Premier is actively considering holding off on wage rises already factored into public sector wage agreements for the State’s 28,000 public servants, he must first lead from the front and deal with MP's salaries, his own included... more
Closure of Gladstone mine: Mussleroe Bay wind farm must be brought forward - 26th February 2009
With the closure of the Gladstone tin and sapphire mine in the state’s North East, 21 more Tasmanians are without work and the State Government must now make good on its past promises to advance the Mussleroe Bay wind farm project... more
Treasurer must rein in the pork barrelling - 25th February 2009
The Treasurer, Michael Aird, must rein in the blatant pork-barrelling binge of the Premier David Bartlett before an even bigger hole is burned in the State’s finances... more
Where’s the money coming from, Premier? - 24th February 2009
The gravy train rolls on, as the Premier continues to throw money around like confetti at a time when Tasmania needs to be fiscally rigorous with every dollar it still has... more
Will Tasmania get a credit downgrade? - 23rd February 2009
Days after the Queensland Government revised its budget forecasts for the second time, predicting a massive budget deficit blowout and facing a credit rating downgrade, the Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has called on the Tasmanian Treasurer to rule out a similar situation occurring in Tasmania... more
A ten year milestone for obscene Labor waste - 22nd February 2009
Today marks ten years of Labor’s obscene waste of taxpayers’ money on an office in Canberra... more
Liberals draw line in the sand on LGH - 20th February 2009
The Tasmanian Liberals have called on the State Government to support their policy of rebuilding a new generation Royal Hobart hospital to free up investment for other Hospitals around the State... more
Premier’s costly blunder - 20th February 2009
The Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, today blasted the Premier for failing to negotiate an increase in productivity in the public sector in return for a recent generous pay rise... more
Aird’s Mid Year Financial Report now in tatters - 19th February 2009
The Shadow Treasurer, Peter Gutwein, has demanded that the Treasurer update the State’s economic forecasts in light of the fact that it is now apparent that Tasmania will be in deficit in 2009-10, not in surplus, as originally advised by the Treasurer... more
Aird the hypocrite - 18th February 2009
Within 24 hours of the Treasurer declaring that belts must be tightened, it has been revealed that building work is in full swing on his new taxpayer-funded office suite in Parliament House... more
Does Aird stand by his economic forecasts? - 18th February 2009
In recent months, hundreds of Tasmanians have lost their jobs. Yet instead of acting to protect Tasmania’s economy, the State Government remains paralysed by indecision and continues to rely on outdated economic forecasts... more
Liberal Hospital Plan Will Allow Investment in the LGH - 15th February 2009
Following the announcement of the State Liberals’ plan for a New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital, the Liberals will be seeking to hold further meetings with senior administrative and medical staff of the LGH to discuss the needs of the Northern Tasmanian hospital... more
Unemployment on the Rise - 12th February 2009
Labour statistics released today show Tasmanian unemployment is getting worse as the effects of the global financial crisis continue to hit the State... more
Bass Responds Generously to Bushfire Appeal - 11th February 2009
The Liberal offices in Launceston are literally overflowing with generous donations from the people of Bass to survivors of Victoria’s bushfire tragedy... more
Cop out on salaries - 11th February 2009
The State Opposition has stepped up its call for the State’s politicians and best paid public servants to show leadership on the issue of wage restraint during the current economic crisis... more
Belt tightening must begin at home - 8th February 2009
The State Opposition has challenged the government to freeze the salaries of its highly-paid ministerial advisers, and enter into negotiations to do likewise with the State’s most highly paid public servants... more
Tasmanian MPs must set example in tough times - 6th February 2009
The State Opposition has called on the Premier to extend the freeze on increases to Tasmanian MPs salaries until the end of the 2010-11 financial year... more
Bartlett and Sturges at odds over surplus - 5th February 2009
The State Government is in disarray over its budget position, with Premier Bartlett and Infrastructure Minister Graeme Sturges openly at odds over the likelihood of a budget deficit next year... more
Bartlett must spend wisely - 4th February 2009
The State Government must explain the long-term strategy behind its 100 $1 million grants program that it has suddenly embarked upon around the State... more
Tasmania’s budget black hole deepens - 4th February 2009
The Federal Government’s announcement that it predicts revenues will fall by $115 billion between 2008-09 and 2011-12 is sobering news for Tasmania... more
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