Public sector job cuts and salary freezes dominated a fiery question time in State Parliament this morning.
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Labor and the Greens unleashed nine questions at the government over the effect of legislation tabled yesterday that sets out to stop pay increments for one year.
Opposition Leader Bryan Green asked Treasurer Peter Gutwein whether Tasmania was being used as a guinea pig for wage freezes by federal Employment Minister Eric Abetz.
Mr Gutwein did not concede the allegation, and said he would ''rather see 500 people keep their job''.
''You left 1000 jobs embedded, that was clear,'' Mr Gutwein said.
Attacks turned personal, with the opposition interjecting an attack on Premier Will Hodgman's chief of staff.
''Repeat what you said, tough guy,'' Mr Hodgman fired back.
Labor copped further criticism for not delivering an alternative budget yesterday.
Mr Gutwein said the Tasmanian of Chamber of Commerce and Industry cancelled two alternative budget events in Launceston and Ulverstone.
''It's hard to sell something that now doesn't exist,'' Mr Gutwein told parliament.