Brickbats and bouquets for Scott Morrison’s 2018 Federal Budget

UPDATED: PREMIER Will Hodgman can’t provide a clear time frame on when construction of a new Bridgewater Bridge might start, despite the project being given a $461m leg up from Canberra.

UPDATED: PREMIER Will Hodgman can’t provide a clear time frame on when construction of a new Bridgewater Bridge might start, despite the project being given a $461 million leg up from Canberra.

But he today told reporters in Hobart he hoped it would be “as soon as possible.”

Mr Hodgman said he was keen to see construction start on the new bridge, describing it as a massive and overdue investment.

He said planning was in progress.

Mr Hodgman said the Federal Budget, handed down last night, had provided “extraordinary and unprecedented” support for Tasmania’s economy, which would make our roads less congested and safer.

“It is a reflection of the Commonwealth’s understanding of Tasmania’s strong economy and that the state has challenges which need to be met head-on,” he said.

The Premier said he could understand why Tasmanians might be cynical about the timing of Canberra’s support.

MORE FEDERAL BUDGET COVERAGE:

One big question left unanswered for Tassie

Funding focuses on northern electorates

A Budget for middle Australia

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Live coverage: Morrison’s budget for battlers

“That being said, this money could have been delivered under a Labor government years ago.”

He said 170,000 Tasmanians would benefit from tax relief plus increases in health spending.

“There will also be $190 million more in GST receipts over the forward estimates. We fought for our fair share and got it,” Mr Hodgman said.

“The GST is volatile, so we will not blow the extra money.”

EARLIER: TASMANIAN Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey has praised the Budget as great news for the state.

“It’s great to see the state back on the spending list, after it missed out on major infrastructure funding in the past two budgets,” he said.

“Clearly the Bridgewater Bridge funding is important.

“Tax relief for every wage up to $90,000 per annum will really hit that sweet spot in the Tasmanian market.”

TasCoss CEO Kym Goodes

TCCI CEO Michael Bailey.

TasCoss CEO Kym Goodes was not quite as complimentary.

“Having a roof over your head is one of the biggest challenges for all Tasmanians – whether you are rich or poor, earning an income, or looking for a job. There is nothing in the Budget for Tasmanians for the biggest challenge we are currently facing,” she said.

“The most disappointing element of this Budget is ignoring the ‘do no harm’ principle. The $7 per week energy supplement for those on Newstart should not be withdrawn for people struggling while banks get tax cuts. This is not the country we want to live in.

“The Budget fails to acknowledge the day-to-day desperation of jobseekers trying to live on Newstart. In Tasmania there are 24 applicants for every entry-level job opening.

“The Treasurer said the tax cuts were ‘reward for work’. He is not acknowledging the hard work done by those on Newstart to find employment on the increasingly tight social safety net.

“We don’t pay tax with the expectation it will be given back to us in tax cuts. Australians want their government to provide access to services funded through our taxes, this is our basic right.

“Wage increases should not come through income tax cuts, they should come from employers recognising the hard work of Australian workers.”

MORE FEDERAL BUDGET COVERAGE:

One big question left unanswered for Tassie

Funding focuses on northern electorates

A Budget for middle Australia

ScoMo has his eyes firmly on the voters

Live coverage: Morrison’s budget for battlers

Tasmanian independent MHR for Denison Andrew Wilkie described the Budget as a mixed bag.

“While there are some things to celebrate in this Budget including for Tasmania, overall it misses the mark when it comes to looking after those who need it, and when it comes to offering a clear and coherent plan for the future,” he said.

Andrew Wilkie.

“It’s good to see a better deal for Tasmania, such as the funding finally being forthcoming for the new Bridgewater Bridge which will better connect Denison to the rest of the State. The second $60 million instalment for the freight rail revitalisation project is also welcome, as is the $400 million Tasmanian roads package.

“But there’s a disappointing lack of funding for necessary infrastructure like a northern suburbs light rail, UTAS’s proposed STEM project, or improvements to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, and seemingly no progress towards a Hobart City Deal.”

But State and Federal Liberals were bouyant.

“[This Budget] delivers a record-breaking nearly one billion dollars in infrastructure funding, as well securing essential services funding, while delivering tax relief that will directly benefit around 170,000 Tasmanians,” said State Liberal Senate Team spokesman Senator Richard Colbeck.

Premier Will Hodgman said funding for a new Bridgewater Bridge, Roads of Strategic Importance and the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program aside, the

Budget confirmed that Tasmania’s share of GST remains strong “with an additional $190 million across the forward estimates on current forecasts”.

Federal Labor Member for Lyons Julie Collins said there was no certainty about the future of the state’s GST share which should worry every Tasmanian while Greens Senator Nick McKim said the Budget was not a good outcome for the average Tasmanian.

“It’s a Budget that tries to pull the wool over the eyes of the Tasmanian voters,” he said.

The State Labor Party plans to respond on Wednesday.

WHAT THEY SAID:

GREENS

“Rarely do budgets give us such stark choices about what kind of future we want for our country, but this one surely does. We have a clear choice between the Liberals’ selfish, dog-eat-dog worldview or a more caring society where we look after each other.” – Federal Greens Leader Richard Di Natale

CONSERVATIONISTS

“A good government would have cut handouts to coal, gas and oil corporations, increased Australia’s clean energy and invested in restoring our precious rivers, forests and wildlife.” – Australian Conservation Foundation chief executive officer Kelly O’Shanassy

UNIONS

“The Turnbull Government has chosen to do the bidding of big business, offshore investors and the already wealthy, and neglect the needs of working people.” – Australian Council of Trade Unions Secretary Sally McManus

“This is a smoke and mirrors Budget from the Turnbull Government, continuing the Coalition’s ideological obsession with selling off critical public services to big business and undermining the kind of public sector capacity that’s needed to run a good government.” – Community and Public Sector Union National Secretary Nadine Flood

“The Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation has welcomed aged care funding for additional home care packages, but this will not fix the crisis in aged care and [its disappointing] that, once again, the Government has failed to address the urgent need for safe staffing in nursing homes.” – ANMF Acting federal secretary Annie Butler

“The 2018-19 Federal Budget has exposed a Coalition government motivated by political self-preservation rather than promoting future social and economic prosperity.” – National Tertiary Education Union national president Jeannie Rea

BUSINESS

“The Federal Budget 2018 is heading in the right direction but business would have liked more ambition for long-term budget repair and decreased reliance on increasing tax revenue.” – Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry CEO James Pearson

“This is a strong and sensible budget focused on growth and built overwhelmingly on the contribution of the business community. The Budget is stark proof that when business thrives, Australia thrives.” – Business Council of Australia chief executive Jennifer Westacott.

“The National Retailers Association welcomes measures announced by the Treasurer tonight that will give a much-needed boost to retail, in particular small business.” – NRA CEO Dominique Lamb

“The Australian Retailers Association believes this year’s Federal Budget brings some much-needed relief for retailers struggling in a volatile market with low growth and increased cost pressures with the promise of personal tax cuts which will drive consumer spend.” – ARA executive director Russell Zimmerman

WELFARE

“There are some bright spots in this year’s Budget – especially for older people – but it’s a mixed bag.” – Anglicare Australia executive director Kasy Chambers

“No sooner have we seen five minutes of Budget sunshine then the Government has committed itself to seven years of income tax cuts. This is not a disciplined and responsible approach to budgeting.” – ACOSS CEO Dr Cassandra Goldie

“If you’re locked out of a job or in an insecure job, this Budget doesn’t even bring home the two-minute noodles.” – St Vincent de Paul Society National Council CEO Dr John Falzon

“It’s short-sighted and heartless to neglect homelessness services, and to let ageing social housing stock dwindle. We’ll be forced to turn even more people away, many of whom will end up in our hospitals, prisons and mental health facilities; when all they need is a home.” – Homelessness Australia Chair Jenny Smith

HEALTH

“Breast Cancer Network Australia applauds the announcement of funding for ribociclib (Kisqali) to be available through the PBS from 1 July. The drug is a lifeline for women newly diagnosed with hormone positive HER2-negative metastatic breast cancer.” – BCNA CEO Kirsten Pilatti

“In tonight’s Budget the government has been true to its word in finding another way to fund the NDIS. This scheme is too important to hundreds of thousands of Australians not to be fully funded and it’s clear the government agrees.” – National Disability Services chief executive Dr Ken Baker

“Tonight the Turnbull Government has definitively stated that the NDIS can be funded from existing revenue – not just this year but across the forward estimates.” – Every Australian Counts campaign director Kirsten Deane.

“We are very pleased that the Government has recognised the need to invest in new and innovative approaches to prevent suicide.” – SANE Australia CEO Jack Heath

“Tonight’s national Budget continues to fund the health care systems, but is woefully short on preventative health measures to keep Australians from becoming sick in the first place. A token attempt to divert attention from the Government’s substantial and ingrained support of corporations over the welfare of the general population is evident.” – Public Health Association Australia chief executive Michael Moore AM

“While assistance to the states and territories for public hospitals is welcome, attention needs to turn to solving long-term system-wide issues such as access block in emergency departments, the inability to admit patients to the hospital because of inadequate bed numbers.” – Australasian College for Emergency Medicine president Dr Simon Judkins

“The Budget includes a wide range of initiatives that will make a real difference to the health workforce in rural Australia and the many rural and remote communities it serves.” – Rural Doctors Association of Australia president Dr Adam Coltzau

EDUCATION

“A $393 million boost for major research infrastructure and 500 newly funded pathway places into university for regional Australians are a solid down-payment on future economic growth.” – UA Chair Professor Margaret Gardner

HOUSING + INFRASTRUCTURE

“The Government’s infrastructure Budget will play a key role in setting the nation up for future prosperity. The additional $24 billion investment in infrastructure across the country will boost the productivity and liveability of our cities.” – Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn

“Whereas housing affordability was a centre piece of the 2017 Budget there was nothing in this year’s Budget that directly addressed this.” – Real Estate Institute of Australia president Malcolm Gunning

“The Property Council has heralded the big infrastructure boost confirmed in today’s Federal Budget but called for this to be leveraged into a stronger plan to create great cities and support a growing Australia.” – Property Council of Australia chief executive

Ken Morrison

“Home buyers and the housing industry will benefit from the steady path that tonight’s

Budget has plotted for the economy and our cities.” – Housing Industry Association senior economist Geordan Murray

TRANSPORT

“The Tourism & Transport Forum Australia has welcomed the nation-wide investment in big-ticket transport infrastructure projects in the Federal Government’s 2018-19 Budget, but said the Government has missed a golden opportunity to reap the benefits from substantially increasing its funding for Tourism Australia.” – TTF chief executive Margy Osmond

“The Australian Automotive Dealer Association is disappointed that the Federal Budget has retained inefficient new car taxes and missed the opportunity to reward consumers and local businesses.” – AADA CEO David Blackhall

CONSUMERS
“Consumer group CHOICE welcomes the Federal Budget measures that will make superannuation insurance opt-in, auto-reunite people with lost accounts and ban exit fees.” – CHOICE CEO Alan Kirkland

MULTICULTURE

“We are pleased that the Government will provide an additional $5 million in 2018-2019 for community organisations assisting newly arrived migrants to integrate into Australian society through the Fostering Integration Grants Scheme.” – Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia chairperson Mary Patetsos