Delivering for Tasmanians

Jeremy Rockliff, Premier

The Tasmanian Liberal Government is continuing to deliver for Tasmanians, on the issues that matter to them.

We know that many Tasmanians are facing cost-of-living pressures, and we have acted to ease the burden and provide targeted support to those who need it.

Our $5 million cost of living booster package, announced earlier this week, will provide immediate help to Tasmanian families most in need.

Our investment will allow relief to be delivered through community sector partners and grassroots community organisations, such as Foodbank Tasmania, Loaves and Fishers, Neighbourhood Houses, Salvation Army, St Vincent De Paul, Anglicare, and the Launceston and Hobart City Missions.

It also includes an additional $1 million to Aurora Energy for its hardship program that will provide assistance for customers experiencing financial difficulty. This is on top of our existing commitment to help ease power bills for Tasmanians who need it through our $180 Bill Buster Payment.

And in Parliament this week, a motion was tabled strongly urging the Federal Labor Government to extend the fuel excise reduction until at least the end of 2022, to provide real relief at the bowser for Tasmanian motorists.

Additionally, the COVID-19 situation has continued to stabilise with case numbers from the recent COVID-19 wave trending down from the highs seen in recent weeks.

While this has eased the burden on our health system, we must continue to remain vigilant to reduce the risk to ourselves and others safe from COVID-19.

Remember to keep up your COVID-safe behaviours and if you’re due for a vaccination, please make a booking with one of the many providers across the State as soon as possible.

Other important actions we have taken this week include:

  • Announced a number of new measures to ensure our children and young people are safe, including establishing clear benchmarks for high-quality, safe services that will achieve the best possible outcome for children and young people in care through the release of the Tasmanian Out of Home Care (OOHC) Standards;
  • We are also progressing the establishment of a Child and Youth Safe Organisations Framework, with a project plan released that provides the blueprint to accelerate its development and ensure it can be implemented as quickly as possible;
  • Progressed the Child Safe Governance Review into the Launceston General Hospital and Human Resources, with the appointment of further highly credentialed experts, staff and union representatives to an advisory panel to inform the Review;
  • We also announced 16 Child Safety Officer appointments have been made, with staff to begin in August and another round of recruitment to be immediately progressed to address remaining vacancies;
  • Put forward a revised proposal to all union parties involved in the current agreement, with a one-off $2,000 payment offered under a new Frontline Health COVID-19 Allowance to relevant Health Service and Ambulance Tasmania staff, with the payment including any back pay owing under the COVID-19 Escalation Agreement.
  • Passed the Family Violence Amendment Bill 2022 through the Lower House, which will amend the existing legislative framework aimed at reducing levels of family violence in Tasmania, and strengthen the way our justice system deals with repeat perpetrators of family violence.
  • Tabled legislation to create Homes Tasmania, that will be responsible for delivering improved housing services and increasing the supply of social and affordable homes in Tasmania;
  • Started work on the new Beaconsfield Ambulance Station;
  • Announced the first major contract for the Devonport East Quaylink project;
  • Released new figures that confirm the strength of our tourism industry, with nearly 300,000 visitors to the State in April, May and June, and the highest spend for any June quarter on record;
  • Provided funding of $20,000 to Reclink, Variety Tasmania, Inclusive Innovations Tasmania and Communities for Children to support their ‘Game Changer’ initiative.
  • Visited the Peacock Centre redevelopment that is on track for completion and handover in early 2023;
  • Oversaw new ABS figures confirming Tasmania’s unemployment rate has hit a new record low of 3.7 per cent;
  • Released the Preliminary Outcomes Report for 2021-22, which shows a significant improvement in the State Budget’s position and a fantastic year for infrastructure delivery;
  • Secured the future of the Taste of Summer, with a new five-year deal;
  • Appointed a contractor for the new facilities to support Years 11 and 12 at St Marys District School;
  • Commenced debate on the Climate Change (State Action) Amendment Bill 2021, which outlines a nation-leading framework on climate change, and a target of net zero emissions, or lower, from 2030;
  • Announced that this weekend’s game between Hawthorn and the Western Bulldogs will be dedicated to our hard-working emergency service workers; and
  • Welcomed a new member to the Liberal team, after Dean Young successfully contested the Franklin recount.

The past two days have also seen the Commission of Inquiry continue its difficult but important work, with a focus on the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

While the evidence given both this week and in previous hearings has been confronting, we remain steadfast in our commitment to acknowledge past failures, and we are listening and acting to ensure they can never be repeated in Tasmania.

For anyone who is affected, remember that support is available. If you do need to talk to someone, please don’t hesitate to reach out to the following organisations:

  • Lifeline (24 hours) 131 114;
  • Beyond Blue 1300 224 636;
  • Victims of Crime Service 1300 300 238;
  • Sexual Assault Support Service (24 hours) 1800 697 877;
  • Laurel House Northern Tasmania (03) 6334 2740;
  • Laurel House North West Tasmania (03) 6431 9711;
  • Blue Knot Foundation 1300 657 380;
  • Child Abuse Prevention Services 1800 688 009;
  • Strong Families, Safe Kids 1800 000 123;
  • 1800 RESPECT 1800 737 732;
  • Suicide Call Back Service 1300 659 467;
  • MensLine Australia 1300 789 978; or
  • Relationships Australia Tasmania 1300 364 277.

/Public Release. View in full here.