Unions, political parties react to Tasmania’s state budget

Tasmanians have reacted passionately to the state budget, with the business community happy, while unions, Labor and The Greens have gone to town on Michael Ferguson’s first go at crunching the numbers. REACTIONS >>>

Union leaders fear the Budget’s projection of a fall in real wages for public sector employees will result in labour shortages and an interstate talent drain.

HACSU industrial manager Robbie Moore said the threat of industrial action by frontline health workers had increased due to a “let-down” budget.

“This will mean a wage cut to our health workers and it means more will leave the state for better wages and conditions,” he said.

“The government will not be able to fill (the 152 beds promised by June 2023) because they will not be able to get the staff to actually work in those areas.

“This budget will create industrial chaos in itself, before workers even take industrial action.”

BUDGET REACTIONS

ANMF Tasmania branch secretary Emily Shepherd said “burnt out” and “fatigued” health workers would view the government as hypocritical for ignoring their concerns.

“It’s incredibly disappointing – this budget has been handed down on the back of the Tasmanian government announcing they will increase the size of the parliament due to the portfolios of the ministers, yet our members have been calling out for years for additional resources because of their workloads,” Ms Shepherd said.

“The Premier has been in the role for a short time and has taken decisive action to address the workloads of his ministers. What about our members, where are their resources and support?”

Unions Tasmania secretary Jessica Munday said the 2.5 per cent wage increase floated for public sector workers sent a signal to the private sector that it was acceptable for them to make “lowball” offers to employees.

“The Treasurer’s speech talked a lot about cost-of-living pressures, but looking through the budget I couldn’t find anything about wages growth,” Ms Munday said.

Labor, Greens bag budget

Labor has rubbished Michael Ferguson’s first budget as a blow to the illusion the Liberals were superior financial managers.

Shadow Treasurer Shane Broad said the government will borrow $3.5 million every day for the next four years, debt will rise to $5.2 billion and Tasmanian taxpayers will foot a $611 million interest bill.

“Mr Ferguson will bring in record deficits each year – record deficits that will likely be higher given the borderline fraudulent expenditure forecasts.

“Mr Ferguson expects Tasmanians to believe that while the Liberals have increased spending by an average of eight per cent per year, they will suddenly find some budget discipline and reduce that to 0.4 per cent.”

“Not content with his record as the failed former Health Minister who wrecked the health and hospital system, Michael Ferguson can now claim the title of the Treasurer who wrecked the Budget at his first try.”

Shadow treasurer Shane Broad. Labor leader Rebecca White in relation to Covid issues with Hobart business owners. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor described the budget overall as “uninspiring”.

“There is no new money in the budget next year to build the houses that Tasmanians desperately need.

“The government has promised to spend $1.1 billion building 10,000 new homes by 2030 - yet this budget only allocates three per cent of that money and there’s no new money for housing next year.

“We were hoping to see something much better out of Premier Rockliff’s first budget, particularly for Tasmanians who are needing a home.

“But they’re dragging their heels on delivering the houses that Tasmanians need while more than half of the infrastructure budget is allocated towards roads again.”

“They’ve got their priorities wrong.”

Business sector happy with budget

Business leaders have praised the state government for “being prepared to take on the big issues” in its Budget for 2022-23.

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO Michael Bailey said he was confident in the way the Rockliff government was managing the economy.

“After two years of Covid chaos it’s terrific to see not just a way out of Covid but also how well the economy is travelling,” Mr Bailey said.

“It’s also pleasing to see that there isn’t a need for business support this year, which reflects how well businesses are going across Tasmania.”

BUDGET REACTIONS

Mr Bailey said he was not concerned by an absence of wage increases, and praised the housing initiatives included in the Budget.

“The competitive wages will come – what’s really important for our constituents is access to workers, and housing will help to achieve that.”

Tasmanian Small Business Council CEO Robert Mallett said he was surprised the government had not tried to “pull back” any of the money it had spent on business support during the pandemic.

“I’m looking forward to some of the initiatives, particularly the education department becoming a training organisation … the future for tradies throughout the state is vital.”

Originally published as Unions, political parties react to Tasmania’s state budget