challenges await new Liberal leader
leadership battle exposes complete dysfunction
team strive for better, fairer Tasmania
Despite ongoing uncertainty
surrounding who Tasmania’s next Liberal leader is, one thing is guaranteed:
they have inherited some seriously concerning challenges.
Labor Leader, Rebecca White,
said the new Premier had a series of problems that need addressing as a matter
of urgency.
“Tasmania needs a change of
course, not just a change of Premier,” Ms White said.
“Tomorrow we hope to know
who Tasmania’s new Premier will be – however unless the Liberals reverse their
$450 million cuts to frontline services it won’t matter who the next leader is –
Tasmanians will continue to suffer.
“The Liberals have watched
on as surgery waiting lists spiral out of control. Indeed, almost 11,000 people
are desperately waiting for surgery, the worst in Tasmania’s history.
“Almost 3500 Tasmanians in
need of a roof over their heads are waiting for public housing and rental
affordability is the worst in the country but the Liberal Government has still
only delivered half the affordable housing it promised.
“The Liberals have also
delayed tens of millions of dollars in infrastructure spending to hold their
budget together while simultaneously plunging the state into net debt of more
than $1 billion with no pathway to recovery.
“By continuing their
infighting over who may lead the party, the Liberals are ignoring their
responsibilities to the people of Tasmania.
Ms White said the outgoing
Premier’s shock resignation had left the Liberal party in a complete mess.
“Will Hodgman’s resignation
has exposed complete dysfunction between Liberal party members.
“This is not democracy at
work in the Liberal party, this is division and chaos.
“Ongoing turmoil between
Tasmanian Liberal party members over the state’s leadership battle is an insult
to all Tasmanians who deserve stability and vision from their government.
“While the Liberals are focused on themselves, my united Labor team is striving for a better, fairer Tasmania that works for all Tasmanians.”
Rebecca White MP
Tasmanian Labor Leader
