‘Aspirational’: Tasmanian Liberals mark eight years in power

Tasmania is in a better place than it was in 2014 Premier Peter Gutwein says, eight years after the election of the Liberal government. HOW TASMANIA HAS CHANGED >>

TASMANIA was a “much better place” eight years after the election of a Liberal government, Premier Peter Gutwein said.

Commemorating the 2014 election of his party under then-leader Will Hodgman, Mr Gutwein said the state’s economy had turned around, confidence was booming and the state was again attracting residents from interstate.

“It took the election of a majority Liberal Government in 2014 to turn things around, and we have delivered on our commitment to provide stable, majority Government.

“Confidence was low, two out of every three businesses thought the Government was working against them, and people were leaving the State in droves.

Former Premier Will Hodgman after victory speech.

“After eight years in office, Tasmania is the best place in the world to live, work, and raise a family with an abundance of opportunities available for people, businesses and investors to grasp.

The Liberals were swept to power, claiming 15 of the 25 seats in the House of Assembly on the back of dissatisfaction with the Labor-Green government.

The party campaigned hard on pledges of ripping up the forest peace deal brokered by their predecessors, boosting police numbers, statewide planning reform, and encouraging tourism developments in national parks.

Mr Gutwein highlighted said among the government’s proudest achievements:

• Propelling the state economy to the best-performing in the nation;
• Creating 24,500 jobs, with the unemployment rate at an unprecedented 3.8 per cent;
• Extending Government school to years 11 and 12
• Delivering the $689 million Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment
• Recruiting 308 additional police officers.

Mr Gutwein also pointed to the state creating history by hosting the state’s first-ever Ashes test match, along with two AFL finals and returning a Tasmanian team to the National Basketball League for the first time in 26 years

“We have also come through a global pandemic as one of the safest places in the world, and as we continue to transition to live with COVID-19 in our community, we want to continue this momentum for years to come,” Mr Gutwein said.

“That’s why the State of the State laid out a comprehensive, aspirational vision to secure Tasmania’s future and provide the services Tasmanians deserve in health, education, housing, and vital community services and facilities.

Premier Peter Gutwein. Photo: Linda Higginson

“We won’t be distracted by Labor’s tired negativity. We have turned Tasmania around since coming to office, and we will continue the momentum as we deliver our plan to secure Tasmania’s future.

Labor leader Rebecca White said Tasmanians had the right to ask themselves whether they were better off after eight years of the Liberals in power.

She held a press conference at the site of the “fantasy underground bus mall” – a Liberal 2018 election promise — to highlight what she described as the government’s failure to deliver on projects including the four-lane Midland highway, the Bridgewater Bridge and others.

“This is a government that is tired and out of touch, It is distracted by its internal chaos, particularly with resignations in its cabinet and it has lost touch with what Tasmanians care most about,” she said,

Ms White pointed to worsening education results, growing health waiting lists and the housing crisis as other hallmarks of the Liberals in power.

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Originally published as ‘Aspirational’: Tasmanian Liberals mark eight years in power