Labor Leader Rebecca White and Greens Leader Rosalie Woodruff jump-start election campaigns

Labor leader Rebecca White and Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff have wasted no time spruiking their election promises. Here’s what they said on day one of the campaign.

Labor leader Rebecca White and candidates commence Labor’s 2024 election campaign. Picture: Chris Kidd

Labor has kicked off its election campaign with a promise to not only cut, but reverse electricity price rises.

In an appeal to Tasmanian households and businesses struggling with the cost of everything, Opposition leader Rebecca White said Hydro Tasmania’s profits would be raided to pay for the policy.

Labor says the price rise reversal and future cap will cost $50m a year and will shave $400 from an annual household bill.

“A Labor Government will cut electricity prices from July 1 and then cap them. We will cut them to pre-Jeremy Rockliff levels, before the 22.5 per cent increase that’s been imposed on Tasmanians, which has cost them about $500 each household. And then we will cap them at 2.5 per cent going forward to protect Tasmanians from mainland price increases in electricity which shouldn’t happen here,” Ms White said.

“Hydro is making hundreds of millions of dollars of profit. Tasmanians should be benefiting from that and that is going to go back into the coffers of Tasmanian mums and dads and small businesses.”

Labor leader Rebecca White and candidates commence Labor’s 2024 election campaign. Picture: Chris Kidd

Hydro Tasmania recorded $105m profit last financial year.

The state government pledged to return a Renewable Energy Dividend to Tasmanians - equivalent to around $30 per household.

Despite the Tasmanian Labor Party only recently being allowed to again govern itself, Ms White said Labor offered a stable option in contrast to the Liberals.

“Tasmanians were asked to vote for Will Hodgman and they got Peter Gutwein. They were asked to vote for Peter Gutwein and they got Jeremy Rockliff. They are now being asked to vote for Jeremy Rockliff. Will they get Michael Ferguson?,” she said,

Labor currently eight seats in the House of Assembly, and will need 18 to form majority government under the 35 seat system.

Ms White said Labor was campaigning to win a majority and repeated a pledge not to do deals to form minority government,

She did not say what she would do in the event of a hung parliament.

“We won’t be doing any deals with the Greens, or any other minor party. I’ve been very clear about that. We’re seeking a mandate from the community,” she said.

“We live in a democracy and I’ll respect the outcome. Our plan though is to win majority so we can deliver on our plan to deal with the cost of living, to cap and cut energy prices and repair the health system.”

Greens aim to ‘shake things up’ as they kick of state election campaign

February 14

As Tasmanians prepare to head to the polls more than 12 months early, Tasmanian Greens candidates have begun campaigning to capture the attention of voters across the state.

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said Tasmanians have an “exciting generational opportunity” to create “real and lasting change”.

“Jeremy Rockliff has finally called the election after months of speculation. And frankly, as somebody who’s watched the Liberals for the last 10 years, I feel incredibly positive and energised,” Ms Woodruff said.

“Tasmanians want change. They want a government that will fix up the health crisis. They want a government that will provide them with affordable housing, and they want a government that, in a climate crisis, stops logging and burning native forests.

“They want people with integrity, who will stand up and negotiate for real change.”

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff with candidates for the next Tasmanian election Cecily Rosol and Tabatha Badger. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Ms Woodruff was joined by veteran environmental campaigner and Greens candidate for Lyons, Tabatha Badger, and registered nurse and Greens candidate for Bass, Cecily Rosol.

“We feel we’re listening to Tasmanians,” Ms Woodruff said.

“The Greens are really looking forward to this election. We’re ready.”

Ms Badger said she was excited to begin campaigning and talking to people from all walks of life.

“I’m really excited to get out into the community of Lyons,” Ms Badger said.

“I’ve been a part of this community for a few decades now.”

Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff with candidates for the next Tasmanian election Cecily Rosol and Tabatha Badger. Picture: Stephanie Dalton

Ms Rosol said her experience working as a nurse and a counsellor gave her the tools to support people through challenging periods.

“I’ve been working with people in bursts for 20 years now, and I sit with them, I listen to them and help them work through things and find ways through their difficulties,” Ms Rosol said.

“But the reality is that for many people, the difficulties they’re experiencing are things they can’t fix themselves.”