PRESSURE is mounting on the Tasmanian Government to reinvest a $590 million GST windfall into frontline services ahead of Thursday’s state budget. But the government is refusing to put any of the money back into essential services, instead focusing its sights on a bold jobs growth target. Denison Greens MHA Cassy O’Connor said the government had come into office promising to rebuild essential services, but had set about doing the opposite since claiming power. Ms O’Connor argued the government was taking a ‘‘blokey’’ approach to its second budget by focusing on roads, construction and infrastructure over the needs of the disadvantaged. ‘‘We’ve seen public housing waiting lists soar, elective surgery waiting lists soar and teachers lose their jobs,’’ Ms O’Connor said. ‘‘Now the rivers of gold are flowing again from Canberra, the government has an opportunity to repair some of the damage, but it is refusing to do so.’’ Ms O’Connor’s calls echoed earlier pleas from Labor and the unions, but Treasurer Peter Gutwein has denied their requests. Mr Gutwein said the GST windfall would not be used on recurrent spending such as public sector wages. The Treasurer is instead hinging Thursday’s budget on a $315 million jobs creation package to be rolled out over the next four years, which he hopes will create more than 8000 new jobs. Among the measures included will be $60 million for a Northern Cities Major Development Initiative, another $60 million for irrigation schemes and $8 million for tourism infrastructure. ‘‘This budget is going to be all about creating jobs, boosting our economy and making sure that we grow our own state-source revenues as well,’’ Mr Gutwein said. Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy wants the money spent on housing, transport and education programs in the hope of effecting social change. ‘‘If people don’t have secure, affordable housing, accessible transport and a high quality education system, the government will not meet its social goals,’’ he said.
PRESSURE is mounting on the Tasmanian Government to reinvest a $590 million GST windfall into frontline services ahead of Thursday’s state budget.
But the government is refusing to put any of the money back into essential services, instead focusing its sights on a bold jobs growth target.
Denison Greens MHA Cassy O’Connor said the government had come into office promising to rebuild essential services, but had set about doing the opposite since claiming power.
Cassy O’Connor
Ms O’Connor argued the government was taking a ‘‘blokey’’ approach to its second budget by focusing on roads, construction and infrastructure over the needs of the disadvantaged.
‘‘We’ve seen public housing waiting lists soar, elective surgery waiting lists soar and teachers lose their jobs,’’ Ms O’Connor said.
‘‘Now the rivers of gold are flowing again from Canberra, the government has an opportunity to repair some of the damage, but it is refusing to do so.’’
Ms O’Connor’s calls echoed earlier pleas from Labor and the unions, but Treasurer Peter Gutwein has denied their requests.
Mr Gutwein said the GST windfall would not be used on recurrent spending such as public sector wages.
The Treasurer is instead hinging Thursday’s budget on a $315 million jobs creation package to be rolled out over the next four years, which he hopes will create more than 8000 new jobs.
Among the measures included will be $60 million for a Northern Cities Major Development Initiative, another $60 million for irrigation schemes and $8 million for tourism infrastructure.
‘‘This budget is going to be all about creating jobs, boosting our economy and making sure that we grow our own state-source revenues as well,’’ Mr Gutwein said.
Tasmanian Council of Social Service chief executive Tony Reidy wants the money spent on housing, transport and education programs in the hope of effecting social change.
‘‘If people don’t have secure, affordable housing, accessible transport and a high quality education system, the government will not meet its social goals,’’ he said.
