MICHELLE CRIPPS

Health: I am proud of Labor's health plan and believe it is right for Tasmania. Now we have the added benefit of state Labor working with federal Labor, we can turn our plan into action. Some of our initiatives include getting more GPs and nurse practitioners, doing more elective surgery and clearing the backlog of patients waiting for other surgery.

Education: Ensuring the funding continues for child and family centres, welcoming the announcement of more funding for high schools, advocating for strengthening funds and access for those with disabilities, working to get the post grade 10 system right, ensuring our young people build a strong pathway into uni, further education and work without economic and social restraints.

Jobs: Every Tasmanian has the right to work. We must provide a strong economy so businesses will continue to provide employment opportunities and support our workers. Allowing our workers to develop skills and knowledge through continued training and education will make our workers want to stay and enjoy living in Tasmania.

BRANT WEBB

Jobs: My focus will be on ensuring that young people are work-ready. This involves identifying a pathway to employment for all young people _ whether that be via a trade training school, a polytechnic or a university. I also want to ensure that the business environment continues to be one that is conducive to creating employment opportunities.

Health: My focus will be on ensuring that as much money as possible goes to nurses, doctors and other health professionals and staff who work on the ground in hospitals. I will work hard to get waiting times down and make sure everyone has access to medical assistance when they need it.

Education: I firmly support creating a range of options for young people post year 10. We need to encourage pathways for our young people so they can make the most of the opportunities available.

MICHELLE O'BYRNE

Jobs: Under Labor, unemployment fell from well above the national average to a record low of 4.1 per cent. We have created 40,000 jobs, and have set down a bold plan to create another 15,000 jobs. Our record tourism growth alone now sees 25,000 people employed directly and indirectly.

Health: Access to quality health care is a key priority for Labor, which is why we will invest $130 million on boosting staff at the LGH. Labor is also investing almost $100 million in the Launceston health precinct capital works program, including $40 million for an acute medical unit and a new $12 million emergency department.

Education: Only Labor has the determination to reform our education system to ensure that every child receives a quality education to maximise their job opportunities right here in Tasmania. I am proud that Bartlett Labor is working in partnership with federal Labor to deliver cutting-edge and modern learning facilities to schools to assist children achieve their goals.

LIBERAL

N ICK PEDLEY

Education: I am deeply involved in student affairs in Northern Tasmania and I feel very strongly that we must end the conflict-ridden experiments that Labor is conducting with our futures.

Jobs: Unemployment and lack of job prospects also have deep impacts on young Tasmanians, and I am deeply disturbed to see people my age leaving Tasmania due to lack of opportunities. I know the only way to change the trend is to change the government, and the Tasmanian Liberal team have an action plan to create an economic environment that builds business confidence and creates opportunities.

Health: I am amazed that governments have not utilised technology better in the delivery of improved health services. I support the Tasmanian Liberals' plan to use the National Broadband Network to connect and streamline our systems and records, to share knowledge and expand opportunities for the next generation, and to use a smarter approach to health services rather than repeat the mistakes of the past.

PAM DAKIN

Jobs: A majority Hodgman Liberal government is determined to bring back the ``can do'' attitude that would make our state as great as it can be. I am committed to working with the team to fulfil our potential through real change in taxes, increased incentives and bringing back positive attitudes.

Health: As a Launceston local, I have been deeply concerned that the Labor government has gutted our local and regional health services, including closing or downgrading rural hospitals like Rosebery and Ouse. The Tasmanian Liberals recognise the importance these hospitals play in taking pressure of our already overcrowded Launceston Hospital and will be supporting our regional, rural and community health centres as a smarter way of delivering change to health.

Education: A majority Hodgman Liberal government will be scrapping the split Tasmania Tomorrow education system, and investing in support for teachers, teachers' aides, support staff to bring real change to our education system.

MICHELE McGINITY

Education: We need to make sure that the Government properly consults with the community to ensure that teachers, parents and students are able to work together for a better education system. A majority Hodgman Liberal government has a plan to reduce barriers to attending school by introducing free bus travel for all students, no matter where they live.

Health: For too long in Tasmania, we have had a top-down approach to health. We are going to provide the real changes in health services which Tasmania desperately needs. We are committed to services that are delivered closer to home including supporting GPs in our towns.

Jobs: A healthy economy requires sensible fiscal management. The Liberals have the experience to deliver responsible budgets and to keep spending under control. In spite of years of strong economic growth elsewhere in the country, the Labor government has failed to advance our state. We will support small businesses and provide incentives for new business to start and grow.

PETER GUTWEIN

Jobs: We have a steadily worsening unemployment rate and a government that has stood by whilst a disastrous Land Tax regime and their bungled water and sewerage changes have stifled investment, jobs and the economy. With responsible prudent management, a majority Hodgman Liberal government will bring about the real change needed to get business investment back on track and bring jobs back to Tasmania.

Health: Our Smarter Health Care package will ensure that there are more doctors and nurses on the ground whilst also introducing smarter ways of providing services through technology, investment in transitional hospital beds, expanding the ``hospital in the home'' program and establishing Tasmania's first Walk-in Care Clinic.

Education: A majority Hodgman Liberal government will overhaul the disastrous, divisive Tasmania Tomorrow reforms. Keeping what has worked but ensuring a return to the college system. As a government we will be about removing impediments to getting children to school and will ensure that we introduce free bus travel for all students.

MICHAEL FERGUSON

Education: Education is a passion of mine. From my background as a qualified teacher, I have worked at federal and state levels to raise education standards. As part of a majority Hodgman Liberal government I will fight to, revitalise our high schools, focusing on results, and providing more support to our students and teachers.

Health: We urgently need real change at LGH, which has unsafe occupancy levels. The Liberals will fully fund positions for doctors, nurses and allied staff, expand the emergency department, day procedure and ICU/HDU.

Jobs: I am very concerned that the current Government is totally ineffective at creating jobs and keeping them in Tasmania. Last year, we lost 8100 jobs. The current land tax system has cost jobs and stops new ones being created, while the Tasmanian Liberals will clean up Labor's mess and progressively abolish land taxes, injecting $24 million of job creating stimulus into the economy.

GREENS

K IM BOOTH

Health: I have stood up for local doctors, held the Bartlett Government to account over its appalling behaviour towards northern GPs, and hosted a local forum on GP shortages. I am also extremely concerned about the effects of chemical contaminations of Launceston's drinking water supply.

Jobs: I am focused on new employment opportunities for the entire North-East, including a radial sawmill and demonstration centre for Scottsdale, and the development of new skills through the retention of agricultural research stations and school farms. We are also proposing to protect businesses from the ravages of pokie machines, and a tax system review with a focus on reducing red-tape and compliance costs.

Education: I have stood up for the A-Team program (for students living with Aspergers) and I am determined to see this highly successful program retained for Launceston, and extended to the rest of Tasmania. I also believe that our post-year-10 policy provides the best solution to the mess created by David Bartlett.

JEREMY BALL

Jobs: Creating meaningful work for all Tasmanians must be a priority for any government. Jobs could be created by; turning Bass into a major recreational tourism destination (mountain-biking, camping, walking, surfing); promoting Bass as a clean, green region for premium produce and giving everyone access to the best education and training possible.

Health: Focusing on preventative health measures, including childhood education about healthy eating and living, is critical if we are to keep the next generation out of hospitals. As our taxation base shrinks with an ageing population, it is vital that we reduce the cost of the health system, starting today.

Education: Education is the foundation stone of a healthy, happy society and governments must provide free, top quality education to everyone, no matter their ability, background or vocational direction. An educated community is healthier, happier, better skilled and better placed to overcome the complex challenges we face today and tomorrow.

PETER WHISH-WILSON

Jobs: Government incentives to increase small business competitiveness, representation and investment are critical to future unemployment. I would propose policies providing financial incentives for sustainable investment, targeting business relocation and procurement through the live, work, invest platform, and a more integrated, proactive approach to the promotion and marketing of Brand Tasmania.

Health: As a health care business owner I am very aware that a shortage of qualified medical professionals, and retention of existing professionals is a key issue in Bass. I would look into the viability of establishing an Allied Health school in Launceston at the University of Tasmania to provide graduates for medicine and physiotherapy.

Education: I'd like to see government financial incentives provided to entice qualified, experienced and elderly Tasmanians to also become educators and teachers for our children. Children, and even our young teachers, need role models. Setting up a fund to provide scholarships for eligible, mature age Tasmanians to entice them into the teaching profession would be a good first start.

SALLY DAY

Jobs: Tasmanians' concerns regarding unemployment rates could be alleviated through ensuring that the jobs created are those that are long-term, sustainable and healthy to our fragile environment. Jobs in growth areas such as tourism should be focused on to ensure that Tasmanians employment rates rise.

Education: Education is one of the greatest gifts that a government can give to the next generations. Ensuring that money is spent in the critical areas such as the early years will give a stable platform to build on throughout a child's school years. Free public transport for all students will ease the financial stress to both students and parents.

Health: Money is required to ensure that everyone has access to appropriate medical care. People are waiting far too long to see a GP, a specialist, a dentist, or for surgery.

BEV ERNST

Jobs: Unemployment in Tasmania can be improved by taking a long-term approach and encouraging and assisting the creation of jobs in environmentally sustainable areas such as tourism and what Tassie does best, our food and wine industries.

Health: I am particularly passionate about improving mental health services in Tasmania. Currently, there is a significant lack of resources and funding in this area. There is not enough emphasis on preventative measures and we need to have more community based services for those people with mental health issues and their carers.

Education: Retention rates can be improved by funding schools in regional areas to provide year-11 and 12 programs, assisting those young people that currently have to travel long distances or board in the larger towns. The cost to parents of this can be enough to prevent a continuation of there education.

INDEPENDENTS

PETER KAYE

Education: I would believe that teachers, parents and students are sick to death of the Government and bureaucrats fiddling around and making change for change's sake. Decide on the best model from the dozens around the place and for heaven's sake, stick to it. Fund it properly and stop screwing around with it every 12 months to everyone's disadvantage trying to reinvent the wheel.

Health: We simply must keep on the case of the Government to maintain its increased level of funding of the LGH. Don't allow money to be siphoned off to Hobart with their now reborn plans for the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Jobs: The only thing a State Government can really do to increase employment is to encourage private sector development. Every other method is short-term only and, in the long-term, pointless and unsustainably expensive.

JIM COLLIER

Health: Health is too important to be left to the states and I propose a complete federal takeover of health which, by eliminating the "blame game'' and reducing bureaucracy, will streamline health services.

Education: I also propose a federal takeover of education. The fact that it's taken Australia nearly 200 years to finally reach the stage where it is (hopefully) about to introduce a national education curriculum is shameful. Students at any level should be able to move throughout the country and continue studies with the same syllabus irrespective of location.

Jobs: I see greater diversification in industry as essential, particularly in areas such as Scottsdale and Smithton where there has been too much concentration on single industries with disastrous consequences for the community. I am particularly concerned with youth unemployment and welcome the suggestion from federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbot for a form of national conscription to recruit a 15,000 green army of young environmental workers.

SVEN WIENER

Education: Rollback Tasmania Tomorrow education reforms. These were implemented too abruptly without adequate consultation and negotiation with college-TAFE teachers, and has left too much discord within post year-10 education. Must lobby the Federal Government for more education funding and try to assist those schools not performing so well, to address their individual issues.

Health: Lobby the Federal Government for more health funding since Tasmania's relatively older demographic requires a larger share of the nation's health budget. Encourage Tasmanian health professional graduates to work in Tasmania. Establish community health and fitness programs in lower socio-economic areas to raise awareness of the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Jobs: Foster small business by substantially reducing land tax and payroll tax. Rollback planning scheme changes to allow house-building on land which since 2006 has lost that council zoning. North-East Tasmania is popular for people wanting lifestyle change. House construction and support services for new residents will create hundreds of jobs.

TIM PARISH

Health: Timely waiting lists for elective surgery are essential for good health outcomes. The major parties continually make hollow promises of buckets of money to tip on this problem, however, they're impotent when it comes to actioning a plan to employ more specialists and health professionals. A part solution could be to waive Higher Education Contribution fees to encourage trained doctors to specialise.

Education: Back to basics encourage discipline and standards in school. It is important that a positive relationship exists between the Australian Education Union and any government and/or opposition.

Jobs: Jobs are the glue that sticks together any modern society. Bass does not have a safety net like a capital city so it is important to promote and foster jobs where we can.

MARK WEBB

The Examiner was unable to contact Mr Webb to submit his ideas on jobs, education and health.