Tasmanian election 2024: Labor promises money for landlords to upgrade energy efficiency of rental properties

Labor will offer incentives for landlords to upgrade the energy efficiency of rental properties. See how much

Dean Winter Labor member for Franklin. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

4.45PM: Labor has kept the pledges coming to help the state’s renters, with a program to improve energy efficiency in private rentals and public housing.

Visiting Rokeby to make the announcement, Labor leader Rebecca White promised to help landlords make energy efficient upgrades to their rental properties by providing $1000 to 2500 homes when the landlord provides a matched contribution.

She also pledged $5m to make improvements across 2500 public and social housing properties.

“A Labor Government will take urgent action on the cost of living by making rental properties and social housing more energy efficient,” Ms White said.

Labor leader Rebecca White. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Tasmanian winters can be incredibly cold and we know many Tasmanian families are making difficult decisions on whether to heat their homes or put food on the table.”

Tenants’ Union of Tasmania principal solicitor Ben Bartl said while the promise was welcome, changes to the Residential Tenancy Act were needed to make energy efficiency mandatory across all rental properties.

MIDDAY: Labor has lambasted the Liberal Party’s “team of the decade”.

The Liberal Party’s full contingent of candidates was announced on Tuesday.

However Labor Franklin MP Dean Winter was not impressed.

“An anti-vaxxer, a climate change denier and someone under investigation by the Integrity Commission walked into this election campaign and Jeremy Rockliff called it his team of the decade. This is not a team of the decade, this is a team of decay. This shows you what 10 years of Liberal government has done to this state and what it’s done to the Liberal Party,” he said.

Mr Winter was alluding to views on vaccines held by Bass candidate and medical doctor Julie Sladden.

Dr Sladden has been publicly outspoken with her concerns about Covid vaccines and mandates, and was forced to stop work after choosing not to be vaccinated.

Liberal Party candidates revealed in Launceston for the 2024 state election. Picture: Rob Burnett

He also referred to Franklin candidate and Kingborough Councillor Aldo Antolli, who once told a council meeting while he believed in climate change, he did not believe it was caused by humans.

Mr Winter also took the opportunity to take another swipe at former sports minister Jane Howlett, who Labor suggests is under investigation by the Integrity Commission.

He also raised the case of Lyons candidate Justin Derksen, who was a Liberal Government adviser at the time his brother was offered $1.2m for the New Norfolk Distillery outside of any public grant process.

Labor has referred the grant to the auditor-general.

Mr Winter said he was confident in the integrity of Labor’s team.

“We started preselecting candidates quite some time ago and we were able to do a huge amount of vetting of all candidates including myself. all of us had to go through a vetting process. That’s why we’re very confident in our team of candidates, their background and what their history is.”

Liberals promise half-price bus, ferry fares

11AM: The Liberal Party has promised to spend $14m so that commuters can travel on buses and ferries for half price is a bid to ease cost-of-living pressures.

Under the plan fares on Metro and rural bus routes and Derwent ferry would be halved from June 1 to the end of June 2025.

“School buses, general access buses, ferries across all fare types including adults, students and concession passengers will benefit from this measure,’’ Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“This will make a real hip-pocket difference to hundreds of thousands of Tasmanians.

“Under our commitment, a typical Metro fare will halve from $3.50 to $1.75. This means a Tasmanian who catches a bus to and from work every day of the working week will save $17.50 a week.

“That saving is even bigger for regional Tasmanians. The bus fare from Smithton to Burnie halves from $16 to $8 and Hobart to Huonville goes down to just $4.40.”

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson announcing the bus fare discounts at Huonville this morning. Picture: David Killick

Infrastructure and Transport Minister Michael Ferguson said that the measure would also increase public transport patronage by encouraging more people to use public transport for the first time, reducing traffic congestion.

“Every person who takes a bus is potentially a vehicle off the road network, whether that’s on the Tasman Bridge or Wellington St in Launceston,’’ Mr Ferguson said.

Elliot joins crowded independent field in Clark

8AM: Prominent Hobart councillor Louise Elliot has had a change of heart and will now run as an independent at the election after ditching the Liberal Party.

Last week Ms Elliot ruled out running for Clark describing it as “the hardest decision” of her life.

City of Hobart councillor Louise Elliot will run as an independent in the seat of Clark at the 2024 Tasmanian state election. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

But the Liberal Party’s decision to allow pets in rental properties and not wanting to reform land tax has prompted her to quit the party she joined just last year.

“Having advocated strongly for fair rights for rental owners for years, I couldn’t stay in a party that’s promised to do the opposite,” Ms Elliot told the Mercury.

“I’m supportive of the introduction of pet bonds – which would undoubtedly increase the number of rental owners who will accept pets – but forcing animals on owners is not something I can be a part of.

“I changed my mind after considering the election candidate form guide and what their policies are.”

Ms Elliot joins a growing list of independents who have nominated to stand in the March 26 poll including former Labor Leader David O’Byrne in Franklin, North West fisherman Craig Garland in Braddon and former Liberal Speaker Sue Hickey in Clark.

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