PM continues the party campaign in the state’s north

The Prime Minister was back in northern Tasmania for the second time in as many weeks on Wednesday dangling carrots to voters.

THE PRIME Minister was back in northern Tasmania for the second time in as many weeks today, dangling carrots to voters and handing out sweet energy-saving treats at a local ice-creamery.

His visit followed a poll which showed the Liberals might steal the seat of Bass from Labor in May’s election.

The PM appeared in a buoyant mood after the Australian Forest Products Association polling of 847 voters showed Liberal candidate Bridget Archer attracted 42.8 per cent of the first-preference votes ahead of Labor incumbent Ross Hart on 32.6 per cent.

In Forth in the seat of Braddon, PM Scott Morrison said the Coalition would put up $100 million to roll out the long-awaited third stage of the Tasmanian Irrigation Scheme, meaning the next stage will go ahead regardless of who wins government.

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Labor announced last month it would commit the $100 million needed if it won government.

At Van Diemen Land Creamery at Christmas Hills, in the electorate of Lyons, the government announced small businesses would benefit under a $50 million Energy Community Package plan to buy equipment, monitor their energy usage and find efficiencies.

Energy Minister Angus Taylor said the initiative would not only save small businesses money but reduce carbon emissions by 50 million tonnes.

Tasmania’s Agriculture Minister Guy Barnett said the confirmation that stage three of the irrigation scheme was a goer was a vote of confidence in the state’s farming sector.

Five key projects will be funded initially with another five to be investigated for funding under the National Infrastructure Development Fund.

Those key projects are the Don, Sassafras Wesley Vale, Fingal, Northern Midlands and Tamar.

The third tranche is expected to deliver 78,000 megalitres of water, 479km of pipeline, seven dams, 23 pump stations and four power stations.

Nationals Leader Michael McCormack, Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Premium Fresh Managing Director Jim Ertler in a field of carrots in Braddon at Forth, Tasmania. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Nationals Leader Michael McCormack in Braddon at Forth, Tasmania. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

Prime Minister Scott Morrison in a field of carrots in Braddon at Forth, Tasmania. Picture: CHRIS KIDD

The scheme’s rollout was listed as a priority project by Infrastructure Australia early this year and farmers say it will provide more surety in the sector and spark investment.

Labor said its commitment would help connect potential irrigation schemes in farming districts including Detention, Don, Flowerdale, Harcus, the Tamar Valley, Fingal, the Southern Midlands and Sassafras.

Braddon MP Justine Keay said it was disappointing the government left out irrigation schemes in Flowerdale, Detention and Harcus.

“Scott Morrison had no idea why the three far North West projects were cut from this funding round and left it to the Tasmanian Water Minister to say the far North West projects are off in the never, never,” she said.

“If Labor is elected next month, we’ll sit down with farmers from all of the priority regions across Tasmania and work through a forward investment plan that does not leave the far North West behind.”

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