Federal Election 2019: Premier backs north-first tactics which paid off in Bass, Braddon

Premier Will Hodgman has defended the Liberal Party’s federal election focus on the state’s North and North-West electorates, saying the campaigning had paid off.

PREMIER Will Hodgman has defended the Liberal Party’s federal election focus on the state’s North and North-West electorates, saying the campaigning had paid off.

Mr Hodgman said he was unconcerned at the disparity of attention paid to Bass and Braddon — and the spending commitments that came with it.

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“I’m surprised that anyone was surprised that a political party would identify electorates that were winnable,” he said.

“As was demonstrated, the Liberal Party was very competitive in a number of electorates and Bass and Braddon were two of them.

“So it doesn’t surprise me. I’m sure most Tasmanians would appreciate that a political organisation will apply a lot of its focus, its efforts and its resources in those seats that can be won.”

Mr Hodgman said the South had not been forgotten by the Federal Government in the last 12 months.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison with Tasmania Premier Will Hodgman at Ulverstone Secondary College on election day. (Picture: Mick Tsikas - Pool/Getty Images)

“The Morrison government and previous Coalition governments have made significant commitments to our state, including most recently with the City Deal, $1.4 billion in infrastructure investments around Greater Hobart.

“That’s a clear demonstration of the Morrison government’s commitment to the South.

“My job is of course looking after the interests of the whole of Tasmania.

“I will certainly continue to do that, and where we can secure additional commitments from the Morrison government we will.

“But their commitments, are not only very strong in terms of what they’ll do for our state, but also affordable. Yes, the Labor Party promised the world, but at the end of the day they couldn’t deliver it.”

Treasurer Peter Gutwein pointed out that the South had not totally missed out in recent times.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein. Picture: MATHEW FARRELL

“When we announced the Hobart City Deal — and that was a $1.4 billion deal compared to the Launceston City Deal which was circa a $300 million dollar deal — there were lots of voices in the state that were suggesting that the South was getting special treatment from the Federal Government then,” Mr Gutwein said.

Labor leader Rebecca White yesterday paid tribute to outgoing Labor leader Bill Shorten.

“I would like to convey my thanks to outgoing Labor Leader Bill Shorten and pay tribute to his tireless work, his conviction to improve the lives of working people, his dedication to fight for fairness and his success in uniting the Labor team,” she said.

“The result is not the one we had hoped for our nation.

“However, we must work together to ensure our country moves forward with purpose.

“Thank you to the many volunteers and workers who campaigned passionately for a Labor Government. Your effort has been immense.”