Labor betrays Tasmanians, Ferguson claims as war of words with federal government rolls on

Members of parliament who did stand up for more federal funding Tasmania were guilty of betraying the Tasmanian people, Treasurer Michael Ferguson says.

Treasurer Minister Michael Ferguson. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Members of parliament who don’t join the Liberals’ fight with Canberra to get more money for Tasmania were guilty of betraying the Tasmanian people, Treasurer Michael Ferguson says.

Mr Ferguson’s war of words with Canberra continued on Friday with a demand for Labor to show their allegiances — to Tasmania or to their party colleagues in the federal government.

“It would be a good thing for Tasmania if all members of the Tasmanian parliament stood up for Tasmanians every day of the week, as the Liberal Government is doing,” Mr Ferguson said.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Anything less is a betrayal to the Tasmanian people.”

He has repeatedly accused the federal government of short-changing Tasmania — particularly in the funding of several critical infrastructure projects including highway upgrades.

The federal government has countered by suggesting the state’s position as an Antarctic point might be threatened because it was being tardy with much-needed wharf upgrades.

Some commentators have claimed Mr Ferguson’s rhetoric has been intended to distract from an upcoming horror state budget, but the Treasurer is undeterred.

“The Tasmanian Liberal Government will always stand up for Tasmania – against those in Canberra who want to dud us time and time again,” Mr Ferguson said.

“Every Member of parliament should be doing the same thing.

“With a number of critical projects needing adequate federal funding to keep our great state moving forward, every member of parliament – regardless of political party – should be making the case and advocating for improved outcomes and better funding for Tasmania.

“Mr Winter in particular should cease standing with the Federal Government and concentrate on helping get federal funding flowing to Tassie so we can get on with delivering major infrastructure upgrades that will underpin economic growth and investment in the state.”

Labor Senator for Tasmania Carol Brown.

Labor Senator Carol Brown is the federal assistant minister for Infrastructure and Transport.

“It is clear that all the minority state liberal government is interested in is playing politics,” she said.

“They’re not interested in the facts, as demonstrated by the Treasurer’s previous statements to the media which were all wrong, his recent claim of a $40 million reduction over the forward estimates in the federal budget – there was in fact a $40m increase.

“He is trying to cover for the terrible job he has done with the Tasmanian budget.

“We worked closely with the Tasmanian Government and their officials during the recent caretaker period in an attempt to determine priority projects.

“The Albanese federal budget added an extra $284 million to projects in Tasmania – bringing the Federal Government commitment to Tasmania over 10 years to $2.2 billion.”

Member for Lyons Brian Mitchell said the state election had affected negotiations between the state and federal government.

“If the Liberals want to blame someone for delays to their projects they only have themselves to blame,” he said.

“The fact is, Michael Ferguson is desperate to deflect attention away from the Tasmanian Liberals’ appalling economic mismanagement of the state’s finances.”

Liberal Senator Jonno Duniam joined Mr Ferguson’s call.

“Tasmanians are getting dudded by our Federal Labor MPs who continue to side with Canberra, rather than cooperate with the Tasmanian Government to advocate for our due Federal funding,” he said.

“Labor MPs are barracking for the state to lose $240m in GST revenue, they’re putting our Antarctic sector on the chopping block, and our salmon industry and MMG mine workers continue to wait on tenterhooks for the Federal Environment Minister to let them know if they can even continue working at all in their sustainable industries.”

“Bulk billing is going backwards, Tasmanians are not seeing meaningful improvements in housing, and the cost of living has skyrocketed under the Albanese Government.”

“We’re getting 50 per cent infrastructure co-contributions from the Federal Government where we used to get 80 per cent.

‘They cut $16 million from the Old Surrey Road and Massey Road project in the North West, and the Tamar Bridge and Wielangta Road projects are on the backburner.”

Originally published as Labor betrays Tasmanians, Ferguson claims as war of words with federal government rolls on