University of Tasmania campus upgrades and an overhaul of the state’s ageing sewerage infrastructure are key items on the Tasmanian Liberal team’s wishlist ahead of Tuesday night’s budget.
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It’s understood funding to move UTAS’ Burnie and Launceston campuses into the city, the sewerage infrastructure upgrade and a feasibility study for a second Basslink cable, already announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, topped the wishlist.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten last week pledged $150 million towards the UTAS upgrade, if elected later this year.
It’s understood the Tasmanian branch of the party expect all measures to be part of a Tasmanian package used in the upcoming election campaign if they are not funded in the budget.
It’s expected funding of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan will not be included in the federal budget, but MPs will lobby to have it included in the Tasmanian package.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz would not comment on the wishlist, but said he was looking forward to a budget that would “help the economic transition and ensure Tasmania is able to leverage the advances we have made since 2013”.
Senator Abetz said the budget would be about enhancing Tasmania’s capacity to be more self-sufficient, rather than “throwing a bucket of money at the state”.
Braddon Liberal MHR Brett Whiteley would not comment on individual budget measures but said he hoped to welcome a budget that rewarded effort and innovation, and changes to the taxation system that supported job creation and investment.
“Good planning always delivers good outcomes, so I am confident that we will see an economic roadmap not a political short-term fix. Those people in our community who have an eye on the future for their children and grandchildren know that a long-term plan is important,” Mr Whiteley said.
Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown said the budget must create jobs and help families struggling with the cost of living.
“It must also reverse the vicious cuts to health and education to ensure our children get the education they deserve and people are not left languishing on long hospital waiting lists,” she said.
Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said Tasmania needed the government to address issues caused by climate change in the budget.
