Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff unveils party’s 2024-25 alternative budget

The Greens have unveiled a plan to scrap a number of key state government initiatives in order to pay for a suite of “ambitious” policies they say would create a better future for Tasmanians.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff has delivered the party’s alternative budget.

Tasmania’s Next Iconic Walk, the Macquarie Point stadium, support for a chocolate tourism experience, and subsidies for the racing industry would all be scrapped in order to fund an “ambitious” policy agenda under a Greens government, party leader Rosalie Woodruff says.

Dr Woodruff unveiled the Greens’ alternative budget on Wednesday, which proposes to deliver an overall fiscal deficit of $1.27bn in 2024-25, which is lower than the government’s figure of $1.29bn.

But across the forward estimates, it would exceed Liberal deficits by a total of $309m.

Delivering a budget reply speech in parliament, the Greens leader said “big corporations and special interests” had “lined their coffers” on the state government’s watch as public services “fell apart”.

The Greens have proposed to scrap the state government’s $12m commitment to a private chocolate tourism development at Claremont. Pictures: Cumulus Studio

“Everyone knows about the shocking state of our health system, the cost of living and housing crisis, the damage being done to the environment, the problems in education,” she said.

“With all that happening, what is [Premier] Jeremy Rockliff’s priority project in this budget? A billion dollar stadium. That’s Liberal priorities for you, and they’re totally cooked.”

Dr Woodruff said the Greens’ alternative budget outlined a plan that “shows how Tasmania can do things differently”.

“Our vision is to fund things that will make a positive difference to the state now and with an eye to the future,” she said.

The Greens would build 1000 new homes every year at a total cost of $1bn, while investing $40m in youth accommodation services.

Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff. Picture: Caroline Tan

“This is the scale of investment that housing insecurity, poverty, and homelessness in Tasmania demands,” Dr Woodruff said.

The party has proposed to tear up a $12m funding commitment for chocolate tourism project at Claremont, as well as scrap the Macquarie Point stadium project, the Next Iconic Walk on the state’s West Coast, and the government’s Cradle Mountain experience.

It would also end subsidies to Tasracing and other racing expenditure, and slash road funding by $50m a year.

Making these cuts, Dr Woodruff said, would enable the party to abolish school levies, effectively making public school free, as well as allow the Greens to deliver a salary increase for allied health workers, and more than triple car registration concessions.

The Greens have reiterated their commitment to walking away from the Macquarie Point stadium development in their alternative budget. Picture: Cox Architecture

Furthermore, the alternative budget detailed a $12m plan to transition Macquarie Harbour fish farm workers to new jobs in the State Service or assist them into private employment through wage subsidies in the event that aquaculture in the area was brought to a halt.

Other measures mooted by the party included raising the age of criminal responsibility, implementing a redress scheme for victim survivors of pedophile police officer Paul Reynolds, making public transport free and more frequent, and undertaking a review of bus and ferry services.

Originally published as Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff unveils party’s 2024-25 alternative budget