As a bellwether seat, Bass was always going to be a winner for specific infrastructure projects regardless of the election result.
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While the Liberal Party's list of promises was slightly smaller than Labor's, there's still likely to be plenty of works to progress in the coming three years.
Liberal candidate Bridget Archer was 440 votes ahead as voting continued, but Labor would need an unlikely swing in the remaining votes to win Bass. Federally, it appears certain the Coalition will form majority government.
Full election coverage for Bass:
- Mapped: Booth by booth - Where Bass was won and lost
- Election night: Archer breaks Hart as another Bass MP loses seat
Labor's reform agenda also fell flat in Northern Tasmania, meaning funding for health and education would largely continue on current trajectories.
Here are the promises made by the Coalition, and details on the election platform that it plans to deliver:
Infrastructure projects
Northern Suburbs Community Hub:
The Coalition promised the full $15 million for the project, meaning no state or council contribution would be required. The project at Mowbray would include a basketball court, outdoor soccer pitch and space for other recreational activities such as rock climbing.
The funding was promised by Prime Minister Scott Morrison after a day of political wrangling in Launceston. The $15 million figure was believed to have been determined at the last minute.
Albert Hall:
The $10 million for Albert Hall's revitalisation was promised on the same day as the Northern Suburbs Community Hub. Still in its early stages of development, the funding was about 25 per cent of the funding required for the project.
It involves a 500-seat auditorium with new seating, and new kitchen and commercial facilities. There is no timeframe for the project, as yet.
Sideling:
The $40 million commitment to the Sideling upgrades was almost the entire cost of the project after the Coalition one-upped Labor. The works would make the Sideling suitable for B-double trucks, allowing them to travel on the road and avoid having to detour to George Town on their way to Launceston and the airport.
Town upgrades:
Beauty Point's master plan will be implemented at a cost of $3 million, while Flinders Island will get a $4.8 million upgrade to its harbour. The Gravelly Beach structural plan will be fully funded, along with the $2.45 million Regent Square redevelopment - both projects having bipartisan support.
Sporting facilities:
Football and soccer clubs in Bass were going to be winners no matter the election outcome, so expect to see more potential for sport at night once works get under way.
Football clubs in Bridport, Bridgenorth and George Town would receive lighting and surface upgrades, with clubs hoping to pencil in night fixtures. Churchill Park will get $670,000 to further develop soccer, while Windsor Park's lights will be upgraded for $250,000. There were also funding promises for Riverside Olympic and the NTCA Ground 1.
Health
Waiting lists:
The Coalition promised $34.7 million to reduce surgical waiting times with 6000 extra surgeries and endoscopies, including $14.7 million for TazReach. There was some uncertainty around the promise of $25 million to the Tasmanian health system and how that would be delivered - announced as a direct counter to Labor's proposed funding for AFL in Tasmania.
Mental health:
A $10.5 million walk-in mental health centre was promised for Launceston, aimed at providing counselling services without the need for an appointment.
Public hospital funding:
The Liberals promised public hospital funding would increase from $425 million a year in 2018-19 to $525 million a year in 2024-25 under a new deal with the Tasmanian government. With the Commonwealth share remaining at 45 per cent, however, it was a drop in funding from the agreement prior to changes brought in by Tony Abbott in 2014 - and $35 million less than Labor's health promise.
Health infrastructure:
Both parties promised $10 million to redevelop and extend the Kings Meadows Community Health Centre, $3 million for two diagnostic mammography units, and $400,000 for birthing suite upgrades at the Launceston General Hospital.
Education
Australian Maritime College:
The first stage of the AMC defence precinct was promised $30 million by both parties with the construction of a new centre adjacent to the Newnham site. The project includes new laboratories and working spaces for research with the Defence Department and private enterprise, with a total cost of $85 million.
Public school funding:
The government promised a review of the public school funding model, which unions say is pushing all Tasmanian public schools towards failing the Schooling Resource Standard by 2023, and was providing more funding to private schools to reach this standard. But for the meantime, the model - based on Gonski 2.0 - remains in place.
University funding:
The university funding freeze disproportionately hurt regional universities, so the Coalition made some assurances around funding. The freeze ended the demand-driven model for university funding, capping them at 2017 enrolment levels, reining in Commonwealth costs.
Taxes, business
Infrastructure:
The final $3.5 million for Timberlink to upgrade its Bell Bay mill was promised by both parties. A $100 million contribution to the Tasmanian irrigation scheme was also bipartisan, including the Tamar-Pipers.
The Coalition's commitment to green hydrogen production in Tasmania remains unclear, after it did not match Labor's promise of a business case for a facility at Bell Bay. It also did not match Labor's promise for $5 million to build a fermentation food and beverage factory at Legana.
Tax:
The Coalition based its reelection pitch on tax cuts as lump sums. If you earn between $48,000 and $90,000, you will get a tax rebate of $1080 - effectively getting back the bracket creep. Those on above $125,000 will benefit from an increase in where the second highest tax rate applies. Those on less than $48,000 will get $255.
The Coalition ruled out bringing back its big business tax cuts plan, which failed to pass through the parliament last year.
Business:
The instant asset write-off ceiling lifts from $25,000 to $30,000 for small businesses, while businesses of over $50 million will get access to the scheme.
Minimal tax reform:
Good news for Australian shareholders - you will keep getting cash refunds for unused franking credits. Negative gearing also remains, along with the current level of capital gains tax.
Industrial relations:
Those cuts to Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for workers in fast food, retail, hospitality, pharmacies, clubs and restaurants will remain. The Coalition also has no appetite to pursue increases to the minimum wage, outside of the usual Fair Work Commission processes.
Just hours after the election outcome, business groups have already started lobbying the Coalition to pursue policies of more "flexibility" in the labour market.
Environment
Tamar River:
Despite being a priority with Bass voters, the clean-up of the Tamar River did not get any extra funding during the election campaign. The current rollout of $94.6 million in works continues, but any future longer-term commitments remain uncertain.
Tourism in Tasmania's wilderness:
Labor's Ross Hart said he had "concerns" with the way the Commonwealth had approved the Lake Malbena tourism development, currently being appealed in both the Federal Court and appeals tribunal. But with the Coalition in power in Tasmania and federally, this project in the Wilderness World Heritage Area - and dozens of others coming up - will face fewer obstacles.
Climate change, energy:
Climate change policy played a minimal role in the election campaign in Tasmania, with the Battery of the Nation and Project Marinus supported by both sides of politics.
The Coalition's emissions reduction target of 26-28 per cent reductions from 2005 levels by 2030 remains, and little detail on how to increase renewables in the energy mix beyond 2020. The scrapping of the National Energy Guarantee also left unanswered questions about energy and power prices - aside from a "big stick" against energy generators engaging in anti-competitive conduct.
What Bass misses out on
Health:
The AMA's calls for greater investment into health for long-term staffing and infrastructure needs went unanswered by both parties, so don't expect a solution to Tasmania's health crisis any time soon, particularly with the state government promising "difficult decisions" in its upcoming budget.
Labor's promised $1 million upgrade for the Emergency Department at LGH was also not matched.
Perinatal care:
The expansion of perinatal services in Launceston remains uncertain after there was no funding commitment from the Coalition. Labor promised $4.5 million for a perinatal infant health service at LGH and North West Hospital.
Mental health:
Labor promised $15 million for a 25-bed acute mental health unit near the Launceston General Hospital, but did not promise a walk-in mental health centre which will go ahead under the Coalition.
Palliative care:
A palliative care unit was proposed to be added to LGH under Labor - a promise that was criticised by the Friends of Northern Hospice who were pushing for a standalone hospice. It was the only funding commitment for palliative care in Launceston.
School funding:
Labor promised a return to the original school funding model that would have added $12 million to public schools in Bass over three years, compared to the current model that the Coalition will retain.
TAFE:
A $3.5 million injection for TasTAFE in Northern Tasmania won't go ahead. It included funding for courses and new equipment and facilities.
Infrastructure:
Given Labor's big spending platform, they promised a range of projects that were not matched by the Coalition. These include overtaking lanes on the West Tamar and Frankford highways, additional mobile blackspot funding in Trevallyn, Greens Beach and Grindelwald, and funding to upgrade facilities at football clubs at Rocherlea, Scottsdale and Hillwood.
Sealing works for Palana Road on Flinders Island will also not go ahead.