Labor would spend budget savings on cost-of-living support: Dean Winter

A Labor government would “strike the right balance” between cost-of-living relief and government spending, Opposition Leader Dean Winter says.

Labor member for Braddon Anita Dow and Labor leader Dean Winter. Picture: Elise Kaine

Unnecessary, high-level bureaucrats, including those in the office of the co-ordinator-general would be scrapped by an elected Labor government to get the budget back on track.

Labor leader Dean Winter said his party had identified $1 billion in savings in the budget and would spend some of its savings on cost-of-living relief for Tasmanians.

“We need to do that for Tasmania and families who are struggling, but we also understand that governments need to be responsible with the budget.”

Mr Winter said Tasmanians were suffering due to a budget crisis and a cost-of-living crisis and the budget crisis was of Jeremy Rockliff’s own making.

He said if elected, his government would strike the right balance between relief and government spending.

Mr Winter said under his Labor government “every cent” the government makes would go toward paying down net debt, which is projected to reach $13 billion in 2027-28.

Labor leader Dean Winter at Loaves and Fishes in Devonport. Picture: Elise Kaine

Mr Winter was in Devonport on Thursday to announce his government would provide $1 million per year to food distribution charity Loaves and Fishes to continue “the enormous work they do for Tasmanian community members who are most at risk”.

He said a Labor government would also give the charity $500,000 extra to upgrade the kitchen facilities, which are currently located off-site.

In the 2023-24 budget the Liberal Government committed $2.5 million for capital work upgrades at Loaves and Fished and in the 24-25 budget they committed $1 million so the charity could continue its work.

Loaves and Fishes CEO Andrew Hillier said the organisation was appreciative of any government “willing to support the consistent supply of dignified food relief for Tasmanians in need”.

Labor's Anita Dow, candidate Amanda Diprose, Leader Dean Winter, Loaves and Fishes CEO Andrew Hillier and Cheryl Fuller. Picture: Elise Kaine

“We know and see every single day the important need for Tasmanians to be able to access food and this will help us do that consistently,”

Mr Hillier said the organisation works with many grassroots charities working on the frontline that needed recognition and government support to continue their critical work.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he visited Loaves and Fishes last week and his government would continue to work closely with the charity.

“We have increased our budget for Loaves and Fishes, supported them with capital investment, with a good understanding of their need.

“But we also had commitments for Loaves and Fishes and passing our food security for Tasmanians in our budget.

“That was a budget that we were halfway through the parliament when Dean winter forced us to an election,” Mr Rockliff said.

Originally published as Labor would spend budget savings on cost-of-living support: Dean Winter