Independents disappointed by budget reform response

The independents who called for a review of the state’s finances say they’re underwhelmed by the government’s decision to ignore its recommendations.

Newly independent MPs Miriam Beswick and Rebekah Pentland. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

The independents who called for a review of the state’s finances say they’re underwhelmed by the government’s decision to ignore its recommendations.

Independent member for Bass Rebekah Pentland and independent member for Braddon Miriam Beswick say the Eslake report made an irresistible case for budget reform.

The government released it’s response to the report on Monday which adopted none of the recommendations.

The same day, a budget update revealed a $500m blowout in the deficit for 2024/25.

“Yet again, the government has put their blinkers on and continues to say – nothing to see here.” Mrs Beswick said.

“The Tasmanian budget is in a very unhealthy position, and it will take hard decisions to turn things around.

“To rule out Mr Eslake’s revenue-raising ideas before even properly considering them is disappointing.

“The government does not hold a majority, and the Tasmanian people have made it clear that they want a more balanced budget with better planning and consideration for infrastructure, so we can take smaller, more affordable bites.

“By ignoring expert advice and simply saying Tasmania can’t afford reform, the government is leaving it to the opposition to clean up their mess.”

Independent member for Bass, Rebekah Pentland at the budget estimates in parliament. Picture: Linda Higginson

Mrs Pentland said Mondays Revised Estimated Report showed the government was struggling to contain spending.

“The Revised Estimates Report 2024-25 projections show an additional $500m in further expenditure than budgeted,” she said.

“Most of this is in health and comes from agency nurses and locums. We need to stop relying on temporary staff and employ people on permanent contracts.

“This deficit in our budget provides a platform for the government to manage the Health Department better.” Mrs Pentland said.

Independent Member for Braddon, Craig Garland in parliament. Picture: Linda Higginson

Fellow independent Craig Garland said he too was disappointed in the government’s response to the Eslake report.

“Instead of taking this review seriously, they have now released a half-baked response to the review, and according to Mr Eslake himself, the government appears to have rejected every recommendation in my report’,” Mr Garland said.

“In my view, this is simply not good enough for Tasmania. It opens the state to significant long-term economic issues, leaving us vulnerable to even worse multinational-corporate exploitation.

“Mr Eslake also detailed that the government response shows nothing but a resolute refusal to give any consideration as to how … spending should be paid for, other than with borrowed money.

“He also added that the consequences of that unwillingness to consider how spending should be paid for is evident in the deterioration in the Forward Estimates detailed in the Revised Estimates Report released today.

“It shows that the government hasn’t taken a single decision designed to put Tasmania’s finances on a more stable trajectory since last year’s budget.”

Originally published as Independents disappointed by budget reform response