Liberals release plans for first 100 days in office if they are re-elected on Saturday

Premier Peter Gutwein has made an appeal to voters: urging Tasmanians to back majority Liberal government or see the state go backwards. ONLINE >>

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PREMIER Peter Gutwein has made an appeal to voters: urging Tasmanians to back majority Liberal government or see the state go backwards.

Mr Gutwein used one of his final campaign appearances to stress his party’s record on economic and pandemic management.

He faced questions over the govenrment’s record on electoral donations law reforms, gaming legislation and aquaculture, but not before delivering his core message.

“Tasmanians have a clear choice. They can elect a strong stable majority Liberal government with me in the chair is premier — or they can slick the minority government and go backwards,” he said.

“Tasmania needs a strong stable Liberal majority government.”

Mr Gutwein said Tasmania’s current economic good fortune was all down to his government’s sound management.

“We’re in a good place. Last year, we kept people safe,” he said.

“We injected into our economy, on a per capita basis, the largest social, economic and community support package in the country.

“And importantly, it’s worked: our economy is now recognised as one of the fastest-growing in the country jobs have returned to pre-pandemic levels and importantly, confidence levels are high.

“On Saturday is a very important choice for Tasmanians to make in terms of their vote.

“They can elect a strong stable Liberal majority government and keep me in the Premier’s chair.

“I’d be asking Tasmanians to vote for the Liberal candidates in their electorates in their order of choice, because to an elected minority government will be to take the state backwards.

The Liberals on Thursday announced a funding package for the state’s southeast.

It included:

• $50 million towards the upgrade of the Arthur Highway.
• $1.5 million towards the $3 million Tasman Arch-Devil’s Kitchen Stage 2 Project
• three new paramedics for Dodges Ferry providing 24/7 paramedic coverage;
• $2.5 million towards the construction of a function centre at Pembroke Park;
• $1.5 million towards the expansion of facilities at the Sorell Trade Training Centre
• $400,000 for the Carlton Park Surf Life Saving Club to complete the redevelopment of their clubhouse and training room.

The Liberals also announced two-year stamp duty waivers for electric cars and $600,000 in grants to grow the electric vehicle charging network.

Mr Gutwein said Tasmania was the first state in Australia to reach net zero emissions, having achieved its 2050 target early.

REVEALED: Liberals roll out 100-day roadmap

By Cameron Whiteley

PETER Gutwein has outlined a plan for the first 100 days of his new government should the Liberals be re-elected, with an elective surgery blitz and a boost in construction jobs top of the agenda.

In a 22-page plan should the Liberals win government at Saturday’s state election, the Premier said, among a range of priorities, his team would:

BEGIN recruitment of additional health staff for a four-year, $154m plan to tackle the elective surgery waiting list.

CONVENE a new health staff recruitment task force to find ways to improve recruitment across the health system.

HOLD the first roundtable meeting with industry to create a “high-vis” army, in an effort to increase construction jobs by 25 per cent.

CREATE a job-ready fund to help job seekers gain the skills needed to find employment.

WORK with the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania to deliver early works and planning for the revitalisation of the showgrounds, with infrastructure to be completed by late next year to be ready for the construction of 450 new homes.

GIVE a no-interest loan to Incat for $100 million.

BEGIN the development of 10-year action plan for the state’s major highways.

Premier Peter Gutwein has plans to create a “high-vis” army. Picture: Chris Kidd

Mr Gutwein said the Liberals had the plan would lead the state out of the coronavirus crisis.

“We held firm during the COVID crisis, and together with Tasmanians, we have helped our state become one of the safest places in the world,” he said.

“As a result, jobs are being created and our economy is growing again, and has been named the number one economy in Australia for the fifth quarter running.”

Mr Gutwein said Saturday’s election would be close, but claimed the event of a minority government would lead to lower confidence and less investment.

The Liberals have also promised to release draft legislation to introduce a state-based political donations disclosure scheme for public consultation.

Under the plan, the Liberals said within the first week, government would meet with each major private hospital, in addition to the community nursing and home-care sector, to discuss ways to take pressure off the public hospital system.

It would also immediately enter into an agreement to extend direct underwritten flights between Hobart and King and Flinders islands to March next year.

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