Located in Launceston, the Coordinator-General’s office is the first point of contact within the Tasmanian Government for businesses wanting to establish, relocate or expand.

With a staff of five directors, coordinators and coordinator-general, John Perry, Labor has questioned the benefits of the office and the value of its work.

Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive officer Neil Grose called for Labor to abandon its proposal.

“The Chamber will always call out bad policy, irrespective of the political party from which it originates,” he said.

“Since the Office of the Coordinator-General was created nearly four years ago there has been many high-profile projects commenced in Northern Tasmania and its project-pipeline is exceptional in terms of investment and the future.

“There are even more in the planning phase and the office is central to much of this activity.”

Mr Grose said the office was tasked with maximising the flow-on effects from the Launceston City Deal and University of Tasmania relocation.

“With a growing pipeline of investment and future projects to be announced, the Chamber finds it inconceivable that a high-performing government agency such as this could be abolished,” he declared.

Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said Labor would ensure the chamber’s members were represented after changes to the office.

“The office costs $2.7 million a year to run and yet there is a lack of transparency over what it has actually delivered,” he said.

Mr Bacon said it could be replaced with a leaner and regionally-focused model – based in Launceston – charged with facilitating jobs and economic opportunities outside major cities. 

“Labor has identified savings of up to $700,000 a year, which will be reinvested in essential services like health.”