Federal Labor has matched the Liberals' proposal to invest $30 million into a new Maritime Defence, Innovation and Design Precinct for the Australian Maritime College, claiming the government had "copied" the ALP's original announcement.
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The first week of the election campaign in the North has been marked by displays of one-upmanship from both major parties, with one's funding pledges often being matched or bettered by the other.
On Monday, Labor announced it would invest $20 million into the new precinct for the Australian Maritime College in Launceston.
Barely a day later, the Liberals revealed they intended to improve on Labor's proposal by $10 million.
Then, on Wednesday afternoon, Bass Labor incumbent Ross Hart told The Examiner in a statement that Labor would match the Liberals' $30 million.
"Once again the Liberals have come late to the party with commitments for Northern Tasmania," Mr Hart said.
"The Liberals have copied Labor commitments on health, irrigation, the Tamar River and now at the AMC."
A University of Tasmania spokesperson said the university welcomed the "strong support" for the precinct, shown by both major parties.
"The [precinct] is an important project which will build on the AMC's strengths and capabilities and ensure the university, the region and Tasmanian business and industry contribute to Australia's defence strategy," the spokesperson said.
State Infrastructure Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the precinct would "attract more defence-related research and design projects to Tasmania".
Launceston Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Tim Holder said the investment would be an "intelligent" one.
"Not only does it benefit the city and the university sector specifically, but it seeks to build our strength as a nation," he said.
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