Federal Opposition expresses concerns Hobart will miss out on a city deal

The Federal Opposition is fearful Hobart will be forgotten in city deal funding after the Morrison Government committed $100 million for a Darwin deal.

Cities Minister Alan Tudge, right, in Hobart last week for talks on a city deal with Treasurer Peter Gutwein, left, and several of Hobart’s newly elected mayors. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

THE Federal Opposition is fearful Hobart will be forgotten in city deal funding after the Morrison Government committed $100 million for a Darwin deal.

Friday’s funding announcement for the Northern Territory capital followed Canberra’s $154 million pledge to a Geelong City Deal on October 29.

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The regional Victorian commitment comes during a state election campaign, with Liberal leader Matthew Guy attempting to dislodge Labor Premier Daniel Andrews.

Franklin Labor MHR Julie Collins said she was concerned for Hobart’s prospects after Cities Minister Alan Tudge failed to commit any funding during his fleeting visit last week.

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Fedearl Labor MHR Julie Collins. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“It’s looking increasingly clear the Federal Liberal Government won’t deliver new federal funding for Hobart’s City Deal,” Ms Collins said.

“If it can deliver funding for Geelong and Darwin’s city deals, why can’t it do it for Hobart, what’s the delay?

“Hobart and Southern Tasmania is again being treated like the poor cousin by the Liberal Government.”

Ms Collins said almost every major infrastructure project recently completed or under way in Greater Hobart was the result of the former Labor federal government’s funding commitments.

In September, a leaked list of infrastructure commitments that ousted prime minister Malcolm Turnbull was planning to take to the next federal election campaign included funding for the Darwin and Geelong deals, but not Hobart’s.

Cities Minister Alan Tudge, centre, in Hobart last week for talks about a city deal. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

A spokesman for Mr Tudge said the Coalition Government was “entirely committed to the Hobart deal and to get the best results for the people of Hobart”.

“The minister was only in Hobart last week where he met with all the city deal partners to work towards the finalisation of details,” he said.

He said nothing had changed since Mr Tudge’s November 8 announcement that the aim was to finalise the Hobart deal by Christmas.