THE state government has lauded the benefits of Denison independent Andrew Wilkie's deal with caretaker Prime Minister Julia Gillard, which promises $340 million for the Royal Hobart Hospital.
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It includes $100 million up front to allow building on the women's and children's hospital to start by the end of this year.
It also includes a pledge that Labor will bring in mandatory pre-commitment technology on all poker machines to combat problem gambling.
The state government made no comment last night on the poker machines restrictions and any impact on state revenue.
Hotel giant Federal Hotels also declined to comment, given Labor is still to take government.
Mr Wilkie said Opposition Leader Tony Abbott had agreed to gaming reform, but had not detailed his promise and had gone further on the hospital,
offering $1 billion.
He said he was suspicious of Mr Abbott's offer for the hospital after he failed to explain where the money would come from.
He said he had more confidence in Prime Minister Julia Gillard and urged the other independents to get on board.
``I hope that they follow me,'' he said.
Premier David Bartlett said Mr Wilkie's decision to support a Gillard Labor government was a ``double win'' for Tasmania.
``If Mr Wilkie's decision helps Julia Gillard form a new Labor minority government it will help deliver world-leading broadband, better hospitals and better education services for all Tasmanians,'' Mr Bartlett said.
He said the funding to redevelop the hospital was especially pleasing.
Labor promised a $565 million redevelopment of the Royal Hobart Hospital during the March state election campaign, although it was dependent on Rudd government hospital reforms.
Aside from the initial $100 million announced yesterday, the Gillard-Wilkie deal says Tasmania would be able to apply for up to $240 million from a new round of allocations from the Health and Hospitals Fund.
Mr Wilkie had presented a list of priorities to both major parties. That list had also asked for the next federal government to withdraw Commonwealth approvals for the proposed Tamar Valley pulp mill and for the urgent release of a promised $20 million relief package for Tasmania's forestry contractors.
Mr Wilkie is the first of four independents to tip his hand.
Labor now has 74 members on its side, after Australian Greens MP Adam Bandt signed up on Wednesday.
The Coalition has 73 seats, if West Australian Nationals MHR Tony Crook is included.
Now it appears Australia will have to wait until Monday at the earliest before knowing whether it will have a Labor or Coalition government.
To form minority government, the ALP needs two of the three other independents who are yet to make up their minds.
After a day of meetings with both sides, including more than five hours with the shadow cabinet, Bob Katter, Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor say they want the weekend to think about which party they will back.
