Minority government looking for $500m top-up after budget blowout

The Liberal minority government has asked parliament to authorise another half billion dollars to pay the state’s bills, following a budget blowout. The latest from the first sitting day of parliament.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

The Liberal minority government has asked parliament to authorise another half billion dollars to pay its bills.

The state budget was handed down on September 12 and in late October parliament passed Appropriation Bills allowing the expenditure of a bit over $8bn.

In one of its first moves on the resumption of parliament for the year, the government tabled a Supplementary Appropriation Bill seeking another $468m.

Labor said the bill reflected a government overspending its budget by $4m a day.

“Tasmania will soon have more than $10bn worth of debt,” Opposition leader Dean Winter said in his first question of the year.

Dean Winter Labor leader. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Tasmanians will be required to find $500m to fund interest repayments, nearly enough to double the number of teachers in Tasmania and completely abolish payroll tax.

“If you can’t manage the budget, how can you lead our state and do you accept responsibility for this budget mess?”

The latest Treasury projections show this years’ budget deficit has blown out by $500m since the budget was handed down — mainly due to overspending in health.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff responded that the government had bolstered the economy, halved the unemployment rate and rebuilt public services since taking government.

“I hear those opposite talking about need for more public services every second day and every day after that [shadow treasurer] Mr [Josh] Willie is out complaining about the debt, but with no solutions to fix it, of course.

“And so we are working through some very challenging circumstances, we are plotting a pathway to surplus.”

Independent MP Kristie Johnston accused the government of taking the axe to the public service so it could pay for the proposed Macquarie Point Stadium.

Kristie Johnston independent member for Clark. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Question time was dominated by questions about the budget, the Spirit of Tasmania replacement ferries, the abandonment of an inquiry into the Integrity Commission and problems with mass mortalities in the aquaculture industry.

Transport Minister Eric Abetz revealed the Spirit of Tasmania V is expected to begin sea trials on April 7 and the government would explore leasing the vessel once it was cleared to enter service.

During debate, Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff objected to Mr Abetz’s “use of gendered language” for referring to the Spirit of Tasmania as “she”.

“It’s not really appropriate these days,” she said.

Spirit of Tasmania IV is being sailed to Tasmania mid-year after the Scottish government declined offers to use it to house Ukranian refugees.

Independent MP Craig Garland accused the government of keeping the public in the dark about a disease outbreak affecting farmed salmon.

Deputy Premier Guy Barnett. First sitting day for the House of Assembly in the Tasmanian parliament for 2025. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Mr Rockliff said he expected the companies involved to be transparent with the public and the government shared community concerns.

“The issue is still unfolding and we are yet to understand the full impact of what has happened,” he said.

And Mr Rockliff said action was coming soon on the nine-year-old recommendations of the Cox Report into the Integrity Commission Act.

“The Department of Justice is drafting a plan for staged implementation of the recommendations, and I can commit to it as soon as possible. I can’t give a date.”

Former Supreme Court Justice William Cox conducted an independent review of the Integrity Commission Act in 2016 and 40 if its recommendations remain outstanding.

Dr Woodruff accused Mr Rockliff of lacking interest in a strong Integrity Commission.

Originally published as Minority government looking for $500m top-up after budget blowout