Premier bursts own ‘Hobart bubble’

The Premier has failed to keep a straight face while trying to coin a local version of one of the Prime Minister’s favourite catchphrases.

Premier Will Hodgman may or may not be on his Government’s razor gang. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

THE “Canberra bubble” may be one of Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s favourite catchcries, but the Premier has failed to keep a straight face while attempting to coin a local equivalent.

Mr Hodgman’s attempt to float “Hobart bubble” towards the end of a lengthy press conference on Wednesday didn’t quite come off — mainly because he started laughing.

“Labor is interested in politics and the Hobart bubble, we’re interested in giving Tasmanians …” Mr Hodgman ventured before he cracked up.

“We’ve just started testing it,” he explained. “Somebody dropped it out the other day.”

The Hobart Bubble joins the Goat’s Cheese Curtain as a phrase that is unlikely to enter the political lexicon, unlike the Flannelette Curtain and the state’s well-known North-South Divide.

Mr Hodgman’s response came to questions over whether he is a member of his own Government’s razor gang. He wouldn’t say.

The expenditure review committee is responsible for delivering $450 million in cuts announced in May’s state budget.

But the Government has been reluctant to reveal who is on the five-person cabinet committee.

Mr Hodgman would not even confess to being a member himself.

“What’s happening here is that each agency will report to a subcommittee of cabinet that will then inform the whole of government as to what needs to happen to ensure our budget is sustainable and able to invest more into health, education, into infrastructure and public services. It’ll be a decision of government we all stand by,” Mr Hodgman said.

When pressed, Mr Hodgman continued his noncommittal answers.

“We’re all going to accept collectively as a government responsibility for keeping our budget in good shape, giving our public sector a pay rise which they deserve, but also ensuring that our schools, our hospitals, the roads and infrastructure that needs building gets done too.”

“You don’t know if you’re on the subcommittee or not?” came the question.

“I’m just telling you ... the deal is the Government accepts responsibility for what is important: managing our budget well.”

Labor’s Scott Bacon said the composition of the razor gang was an unfathomable mystery.

“If the Premier is not on the razor gang, who exactly is running the state?” Mr Bacon asked.

“People deserve to know who will make decisions about job cuts and they deserve to know why.

“There are $450 million in cuts coming from the Liberals’ razor gang and the Premier won’t even reveal his role in the process.”