Tasmania votes: Liberal Party commits to three new ferry terminals over four years

If elected, Labor strike out a tax that would slug GPs, while the Libs make transport promises. An independent MP takes aim over ‘vote buying stunt’. Rolling election updates >>

Derwent Ferries, Dean Young MP Premier Jeremy Rockliff onboard at Bellerive. Picture: Chris Kidd

2pm:

‘Vote buying stunt’ should be made permanent

A 50 per cent reduction in public transport fares adopted by the major parties should be made permanent, independent candidate Sue Hickey says.

The Liberal Party announced half-price fares for 13 months from June 1. Labor quickly matched the policy.

Ms Hickey, who is running for Clark, said half-price announcement should not simply be implemented for 12 months as an election stunt.

“If it’s good enough as a vote buying stunt for the government, then it’s good enough to implement as an ongoing measure,” she said.

Sue Hickey will run as an independent in the seat of Clark at the Tasmanian state election 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“The cost-of-living challenges confronting Tasmanian families will not disappear overnight and reducing transport costs can make a difference.

“Access to affordable and reliable public transport is necessary for employment, education, and training opportunities, and to access basic needs such grocery shopping, health services, childcare and other essential supports.

“If elected, I will immediately move to make the fare reductions permanent.

Greens MP Vica Bayley said public transport should be free.

“While this announcement is a big step forward – a step that wouldn’t have happened without the Greens – it also doesn’t go far enough,” he said.

“Public transport is a basic service and should be free.

“As well as being a cost of living measure, there’s huge added benefits of free transport – ease of access, reduced traffic congestion, faster boarding times, and reduced conflict with bus drivers over fares.”

12.45pm:

Hobart City Council releases its election wishlist

Housing, public transport, visitor infrastructure on the mountain and Hobart’s Antarctic gateway are included in Hobart City Council’s state election wishlist.

Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds said Council’s new Advocacy Priorities document would be shared with all political parties and candidates.

Lord Mayor of Hobart Anna Reynolds with Wellington Park Management Trust general manager Amy Russell in relation to the City of Hobart's strategic advocacy in the 2024 state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Visitor infrastructure on kunanyi/Mt Wellington is high on the list of Council’s priorities.

“It is Tasmania’s most highly visited natural site, yet visitor infrastructure is largely funded by a local council, and that’s not sustainable,” Ms Reynolds said.

“We will be offering a site visit to the mountain and also an in-person briefing for all candidates in early March.”

Hobart City Council spends about $3m a year on works on kunanyi/Mt Wellington.

The state government currently contributes around $380,000 per year as a grant to the Wellington Park Management Trust.

11.15am:

Doctors lash Liberals over ‘anti-vax’ candidate

The Premier has brushed off concerns about a Liberals’ candidate who has been publicly outspoken in her opposition to Covid vaccines and mandates.

The Australian Medical Association has condemned the Liberals’ decision to endorse Bass Liberal candidate and medical doctor Julie Sladden, who has strong anti-vaccination views and was forced to stop work after choosing not to be vaccinated.

Liberal Party Bass candidate Julie Sladden, who is a GP with strong anti vaccination views

“It is untenable for any government trying to urge Tasmanians to follow the best clinical advice and vaccinate to have one of its own undermining that message,” said AMA Tasmania vice President Annette Barratt.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff rejected suggestions Dr Sladden’s endorsement undermined the government’s Covid response.

“I don’t believe at all in that point of view,” he said.

More to come on Liberal candidate Julie Sladden.

11am:

Labor’s pitch to ‘even the playing field’ for GPs

Labor says it will rule out making Tasmanian GPs fork out money for payroll tax.

Party leader Rebecca White and health spokesperson Anita Dow were joined at the Urgent Care Centre at Newstead with Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) chair Toby Gardner and the Australian Medical Association’s (AMA) Aaron Hawkins.

Ms White said hospitals were already exempt from paying additional payroll tax for their doctors and wanted to “even out the playing field” for GPs.

Labor health spokesperson Anita Dow, RACGP chair Toby Gardner, Labor Leader Rebecca White, AMA member Aaron Hawkins on the election campaign trail in Launceston. Picture: Simon McGuire

“In a cost of living crisis, this is a simple measure that supports our dedicated GPs and means they do not have to pass on costs to patients.”

The AMA and RACGP warned that a payroll tax would mean patients would pay up to $20 more per consultation, the risk of GP closures would rise, the decline in bulk billing would continue, and there would be more pressure on hospital emergency departments as those who cannot afford to go to doctors would go there for free instead.

Libs pledge more money on traffic busting solutions

The Liberals have pledged $32 million for three new park-and-ride facilities and a bus interchange in Launceston.

Transport and Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson announced the new park-and-ride facilities would be built at Legana/West Tamar, Kings Meadows/Youngtown, and East Tamar/Northern suburbs.

“Launceston also needs a new Northern Transit Centre to cater for regional services after the tenancy of the previous centre at Cornwall Square was not renewed by the private owner,” Mr Ferguson said.

“This impacted multiple bus operators, including Kinetic and Calow’s Coaches – who operate the intercity, East Coast and Mole Creek services.

“An interim site at Charles Street has been in operation since May 2023; however, the Tasmanian Liberals recognise this is unsuitable in the long term.

“That’s why we will invest in a new location in Launceston for these services, providing an indoor area, toilets, luggage storage, ticket sales and customer support.”

Derwent Ferries skipper Josh Newton and Premier Jeremy Rockliff at Brooke Street Pier. Picture: Chris Kidd

Full steam ahead: three new ferry terminals promise

10am: Hobart’s Derwent River ferry service will be expanded to four terminals under a Liberal government, Premier Jeremy Rockliff says.

The plan includes expanding to Lindisfarne, Sandy Bay, and the JackJumpers’ home at Wilkinsons Point joining Bellerive over the next four years.

On Thursday morning at Hobart’s Brooke Street Pier, Premier Rockliff said the Bellerive service had been a success with more than 120,000 trips in 12 months.

Tasmanian Liberal Party's pitch for three new ferry terminals on River Derwent.

“We’ve listened to Southern Tasmanian commuters, and we’re acting to deliver the three more services that we know they want, Lindisfarne, Wilkinsons Point and Sandy Bay,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The ferry expansion is tipped to take around 1650 cars off the road in peak hours.

“This will go a long way to saving time for families doing school drop-off and CBD workers caught in the rat-race on the Brooker Highway, Tasman Bridge and Sandy Bay Road.”

The Premier acknowledged that a Kingston Beach service, which has the potential to ease the pressure on an already strained Southern Outlet, remained part of the Government’s ferry masterplan, but that the proposed terminal site required significant work to ensure appropriate infrastructure for commuters.