‘Team Tasmania’ releases election wishlist pitch to major parties

Resurrecting the Cradle Valley cableway, a $35m expansion of MyState Bank Arena and boosting investment in housing top the wishlist from the state government and industry groups going into this year’s federal election.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff, TCCI Chair Wayne Davy and TICT CEO Amy Hills speak to the media on the waterfront in Hobart on Monday, March 3, 2025.

Resurrecting the Cradle Valley cableway, a $35m expansion of MyState Bank Arena and boosting investment in housing top the wishlist from the state government an industry groups going into this year’s federal election.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff launched the Team Tasmania federal election policy priorities on Monday saying they were important whoever took power.

Tasmania priorities also include reforms to federal environment laws to speed projects, increases to payments under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, more skilled migration and a boost to Launceston Airport’s freight handling capabilities.

Artist impressions of Cradle Mountain Master Plan Proposed cable car to Dove Lake. Picture: Cumulus Studio

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the list of priorities had been devised with 11 private sector stakeholders.

“What you see here is economic priorities across a range of key areas across the economy that will stimulate investment and make it easier to do business in Tasmania,” he said.

The $60m Cradle Valley cableway was first proposed in 2016 with a state and federal governments agreement to fund the $60m project in a 50-50 split.

The federal government pulled its funding in 2023 when the project’s estimated cost had jumped to $190m and grant deadlines were not met.

The state government is now seeking an 80 per cent contribution from Canberra.

Tasmanian Tourism Industry Council CEO Amy Hills said her industry was finding it increasingly difficult to find affordable insurance and was looking for federal help to find solutions.

“Our competitive strength in Tasmania is nature based tourism, adventure based tourism, and some of our operators are not only dealing with increased costs of doing business they’re actually struggling to access insurance.

A boost to housing investment tops the Tasmanian Government’s wishlist for this year’s federal election.

“So if we’re coming up against that sort of challenge, that’s means that we’re disproportionately affected here in Tasmania.

“So we’re looking for a nationwide solution, a commitment from the federal government, both sides, to look at that.”

Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chair Wayne Davy said he was keen to see the major parties’ response to the wishlist.

“As the TCCI platform highlighted, we need to make the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme fairer for Tasmanian exporters and we need to make sure that the EPBC Act is fit for purpose and isn’t being used as a handbrake on jobs and investment,” he said.

“We also support the other initiatives listed in the Team Tasmania document, such as supporting major industries, developing a skilled workforce, building more homes, reducing red tape and investments in other shovel-ready projects.”