Media Release

Will Hodgman MP
Leader of the State Opposition
Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Tuesday 11th May 2010

Federal Budget 2010: Tasmania Left Off The Map

Will Hodgman said:

Tonight, David Bartlett and the Labor-Green Government confirmed that they have absolutely no influence in Canberra. The Federal Budget has completely ignored Tasmania once again.

What makes this even worse is that this is the second year Tasmania has missed out.

Our infrastructure is a mess, our jobless queues getting longer and we are in desperate need of investment to drive our economy forward. Yet David Bartlett couldn't convince Kevin Rudd that Tasmania was worth any additional funds.

Peter Gutwein:

Michael Aird had any number of projects that he could have raised with Wayne Swan. Our forestry contractors need support, our rail network is calling out for $400 million of investment, there is no new money for roads or ports and our electricity businesses may be in dire financial straits. Yet once again, we have been completely let down.

The incompetence of Michael Aird and David Bartlett is one thing, but it appears Kevin Rudd is set to rub our noses in it.

While there is no new funding for Tasmanian infrastructure, Kevin Rudd will spend nearly $130 million on spin and advertising in the lead-up to the federal election. It just goes to show where Labor's priorities are.