Michael Bailey
MANY of Tasmania's longest-running issues will dominate debate in the lead-up to September's election.
Health, education, jobs and the economy are likely to sway most voters on polling day.
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Michael Bailey said businesses also wanted the Commonwealth to keep its debt and spending under control.
He named freight costs, federal funding arrangements with the state and penalty rates for workers as key issues.
``At the moment, businesses cannot afford to keep their doors open on public holidays,'' he said.
``That's frustrating for them, it's frustrating for their workers and for people in the community.''
Meanwhile, unions will run a national campaign centred on secure work.
Unions Tasmania secretary Kevin Harkins said workers did not want to see their conditions eroded and were concerned about the increasing ``casualisation'' of jobs.
For parents of students in public schools, it's clear that implementing the Gonski report recommendations will be critical.
``They can't afford not to fund it really,'' Tasmanian State School Parents and Friends Association president Jenny Eddington said. Local Government Association of Tasmania president Barry Easther said Tasmanians were concerned that the federal government relied on independents like Denison MHR Andrew Wilkie to pass legislation.
``I believe voters will take this opportunity to make certain we get a majority government,'' he said.
For Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy, there are three priorities for poorer residents - increasing the Newstart allowance by $50 a week; a funding commitment to roll out the entire National Disability Insurance Scheme; and more money for schools. He said such policies were costly, but it was all about ``prioritising government expenditure and more equitable taxes''.
Australian Marriage Equality national convener Rodney Croome, meanwhile, has not given up hope that same-sex marriage will be legalised.
The Tasmanian said polls showed support was increasing.
``(Opposition Leader) Tony Abbott will win votes if he allows a Coalition conscience vote, as will (Prime Minister) Julia Gillard if she follows (US President Barack) Obama's lead and personally supports reform,'' Mr Croome said.
