Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is warmly welcomed to Launnie in state election campaign boost
The Prime Minister has landed in Launceston, as the Labor Party announces a home ownership policy that could reignite the dream for first home buyers. Rolling election coverage.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rolling coverage of the Tasmanian election for Monday, March 11 starts with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese landing in Launceston.
Greens spruik $50 million plan to get Tasmanians pedalling to work
4pm: the Greens say a $50 million investment in cycling infrastructure will encourage more Tasmanians to take up commuting options such as e-bikes, and would increase levels of active transport across the state.
Announcing the election policy at the Bellerive Ferry Terminal on Monday, candidate for Clark, Vica Bayley, and Franklin hopeful Gideon Cordover said the incumbent Liberal Government had squandered a decade-long opportunity to provide Tasmanians with a healthier and greener transport future.
“Traffic congestion is getting worse, and we know that when it comes to the urban built environment, good planning has a direct impact on good health outcomes,” Mr Cordover said.
Mr Cordover said the Greens transport policy comprised three parts – a $7.5 million annual minimum spend on cycling infrastructure; having safe and secure bike parking at bus stops and ferry terminals; and providing grants to allow low-income Tasmanians to purchase their own e-bike.
Mr Bayley used the press conference to continue his party’s attack on the Government’s handling of community grants funding, saying the current process lacked accountability in terms of how taxpayer money was allocated.
Mr Bayley said at present, grants were being allocated in line with the election promises of particular Liberal candidates.
”No-one can begrudge community groups wanting money, or putting up their hands for additional funding,” Mr Bayley said.
”But here needs to be a transparent, merit-based process whereby these decisions are made.
”No some unelected apparatchik in the Liberal Party who gets to make decisions about where public money is spent.”
“It is inappropriate, unethical, and doesn’t have any place in an election campaign.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff defended the Government’s community grants system on Monday, saying the application approval process did not involve candidates or members of parliament.
GameChanger: Groundbreaking housing policy announced
12.40pm: Tasmanian Labor has announced an ambitious home ownership policy to help first home buyers purchase a home without a deposit.
Labor leader Rebecca White called it the “most significant policy” to help first home buyers ever implemented in Tasmania.
“GameChanger is based on the simple idea that if you can afford to pay the rent, you can afford to pay a mortgage,” Ms White said.
“Zero deposit means zero barriers to a better future for Tasmanians under a Labor government.
“We’ll put up the deposit you need – and you can pay us back when you sell the house or when you’ve saved enough to buy us out.”
Key points of Labor’s policy:
- GameChanger will be open to couples earning up to $200,000, or singles earning up to $150,000, with extra allowances for people with children.
- The standard arrangement will be for the government to take a 20% share of the property, though higher shares will be considered where need can be demonstrated.
- The value of eligible properties will be capped at $600,000 for existing houses, and $800,000 for newly constructed homes.
- There will be no cap on the number of people who can participate, but the scheme will be reviewed after two years, with the possibility of extension.
Liberal Housing and Construction spokesman Nic Street said the policy already existed called ‘MyHome’.
“All Ms White has done is take our existing policy, put a lick of paint on it, and shamelessly tried to pretend it’s something brand new,” Mr Street said.
“Under MyHome, which was introduced by the Liberals in 2022, Tasmanian first home buyers can buy a home with a 2 per cent deposit. To date, it has been accessed by 190 households.”
Libs ask where Labor are getting the money from
Meanwhile Liberal treasury spokesman Michael Ferguson has slammed the cumulative cost of Labor election promises, saying the party’s spending commitments are approaching the $1 billion mark.
On the day Labor launched its election campaign in the state’s north, Mr Ferguson said the Liberals were the only party who had committed to not raising taxes.
“On their own unreliable and underdone figures, Labor’s promises are sitting at $970.1m,” Mr Ferguson said.
“That’s double the Liberal fully costed, fully funded commitments.
“Labor has refused to say how it will fund its promises, apart from making ‘savings’.
“One billion dollars is a lot of savings.”
Show your hand on salmon industry, Premier urged PM
12.30pm: Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff has called on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to provide guarantees for the state’s salmon industry, as the federal leader flew into Launceston for the launch of the Labor election campaign.
Speaking in the Huon Valley to announce $4m to boost tourism destination marketing and new $3.8m Business Events attraction fund, Mr Rockliff urged the Federal Government to be straight with Tasmanian voters about their intentions on Macquarie Harbour.
Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek is currently reviewing existing aquaculture permits granted under the provisions of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.
“We back our salmon industry 100 per cent,” Mr Rockliff said at Willie Smith Apple Shed.
“The Maugean skate and the salmon industry can co-exist.
“But what we want is a clear commitment from the Prime Minister today to back the salmon industry … and announce that they are not going to stop the salmon industry on the West Coast.
“We want honesty … and what I do fear is that they are delaying a decision until after the election to protect the state Labor Party.”
Mr Rockliff said a re-elected Liberal Government would support the Cradle Mountain Masterplan, and create a $50m Regional Tourism Loan Scheme stimulating regional tourism.
The party would also establish a $5m Aviation Fund, to take advantage of year-round opportunities to increase capacity, invest in sustaining growth in mountain biking in Tasmania, and activate the unique experience offered by Flinders Island through the “Islander Way”.
Albo’s election message: ‘We know how Labor can win in Tasmania’.
12.20pm: With less than two weeks before the state election, Anthony Albanese has thrown his support behind Rebecca White during a visit to Launceston on Monday.
He visited the northern Tasmanian city today to support Tasmanian Labor’s state election campaign launch in Launceston.
Arriving at Boag’s Brewery, the Prime Minister embraced Ms White.
“Whether it’s energy or housing, jobs, Medicare, or the cost of living. Only Labor ever comes to the table with real policies to solve the problem … Rebecca White understands this, she lives and breathes it,” Mr Albanese said.
“Her determination to deliver has made her a great Labor leader.
“And I know it will drive her every day as a great Labor Premier … Please welcome, my friend, your leader, and the next Premier of Tasmania: Rebecca White!”
In his address, he threw his support behind the party saying: “we know how Labor can win in Tasmania – and we know why Tasmania needs Labor to win.”
“Because there are a lot of Tasmanians who are under pressure right now,” he said.
Albo lands in show of support for Labor’s state campaign launch
11am: A welcome guest in Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has landed at Tasmanian Labor’s state election campaign launch in Launceston today.
Arriving at Boag’s Brewery, the Prime Minister is expected to give a vote of confidence for his state counterpart’s election campaign.
Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White is set to give a battle cry for change to launch the campaign and will urge voters not to “give them (the Liberal Party) 14 years”.
Join the conversation
Clyde Mill breathes new life into historic Bothwell distillery
After years of watching the iconic Nant Estate Distillery sit dormant, a local farming family has breathed new life into the historic flour mill ahead of its grand opening as Clyde Mill
Read more
New Archbishop to be sworn in after appointment by Pope Leo
Selected as the new Archbishop of Hobart by Pope Leo XIV, Anthony John Ireland will officially be installed in the role at a special mass in two weeks’ time.
Read more