THE Hodgman government is on trial today. We have waited so long for this first Liberal budget in a generation the community is expecting something special.
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Organisations that depend on grants and other support funding will be keen to know what funding they get from the new government or whether it has been cut, boosted or axed.
It seems an age ago that the government was elected on March 15, cabinet sworn in on March 31 and Tasmanians were shocked on May 13 by the bitter taste of federal budget medicine.
Months later it's Treasurer Peter Gutwein's turn. His efforts today will define the Liberal's first term. Unless they get the right balance between hope and responsible restraint they will join Joe Hockey and company, on the back foot and struggling.
Already a nervous Police Association has expressed concern in the form of a veiled threat. The association went out of its way to back the :Liberals at the election, but it has shown from past experience that it will not be played for a mug.
Mr Gutwein has distanced himself from the federal experience. The Budget will not shock Tasmanians, he said, but he has made the the balancing act a high wire adventure.
No asset sales, no new taxes, no increases in taxes, and a pledge to keep $400 million worth of Liberal promises over four years.
It would be fair to say the state's finances are stretched as tight as a drum, with little room to move. There's rising debt, deficits, more pressure from increasing expenses; and declining receipts.
It suggests that Peter Gutwein is about to work miracles today. Something has to give, unless extending the time frame for a return to surplus, to six years, takes the pressure off. Even so a delayed budget surplus still requires discipline.
For Tasmania's sake we wish him luck. He may need it.