Budget mismanagement, cuts to frontline services and a blowout in net debt will be among the most pressing challenges for the new Liberal leader.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein has mismanaged the budget and Tasmanians are paying the price with record high hospital waiting lists, a chronic shortage of housing and traffic congested roads. Will Hodgman and Peter Gutwein have overseen a house of cards budget, propped up by raids on GBEs, cuts to frontline services and deferring expenditure on key infrastructure projects.
“The Liberals broke a massive promise to Tasmanians by taking the state into net debt of more than $1 billion with no pathway to recovery.”
Mr O’Byrne said what’s needed is not just a new Premier but a new course of action for government.
“The new Premier needs to wind back the cuts, set out a plan to pay down debt, and get the budget back onto a sustainable footing.”
“The Liberals promised stable, majority Government, but now they’re in chaos not just in party unity and leadership, but in their management of the state’s finances.
“The Liberals must ask themselves whether it’s a smart move to put any of the budget razor gang into the party’s top spot.
“They’ve papered over the cracks in the budget until now, but a new Premier will have no excuse for not correcting the state’s finances.”
David O’Byrne
Shadow Treasurer
