Michael Ferguson,Leader of the House
This week in Parliament, we will continue to outline the detail of the 2020-21 State Budget, which has been designed to create jobs, confidence and invest in our community as we recover and rebuild.
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is rolling out a landmark $5 billion infrastructure program over four years. This is the largest investment ever announced by a Tasmanian Government.
Our record on infrastructure speaks for itself – we have delivered major projects in previous years, including K-Block, significant upgrades to the Midland Highway and irrigation projects.
This is continuing, with our infrastructure plan already being aggressively implemented, tenders being progressed and Tasmanians being employed.
Our $5 billion program will support around 25,000 jobs, build the intergenerational infrastructure Tasmania needs to prosper, and provide the economic boost we need to return the Budget to surplus in two years.
This week in Parliament we will also debate legislation which will ensure our businesses are incentivised to hire apprentices and trainees. The legislation will allow for the extension of our successful Payroll Tax Rebate Scheme and Small Business Grants schemes and broaden these schemes to all industries.
This year’s Budget invests more into housing, health, education and essential services, while supporting businesses to recover and make it easier for them to hire apprentices and trainees.
We are supporting our key industries that will aid in our recovery, to grow and capitalise on our competitive advantages, including renewable energy, tourism and agriculture.
Our $2.4 billion roads and bridges plan is already well underway, with immediate, short, medium and long-term projects being progressed to ensure ongoing work for our civil construction and engineering sector.
We have already received positive feedback from construction stakeholders and the community. Together, we will recover and rebuild a stronger Tasmania.
