Tasmanian government spending on environmental protection is set to decrease across the next three years, with critics lashing Thursday's budget as "unforgivable".
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General government expenses on environmental protection for 2019-20 will come in at $98.1 million - though expenditure is estimated to blow out by $2.8 million this year.
Environment Minister Elise Archer said the government would continue to provide funding through the Climate Change Office to deliver climate action plan initiatives - set to finish in 2021.
A $1 million boost to the state's only analytical testing laboratory - which provides services to the EPA and Public Health - was also announced.
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But Greens leader Cassy O'Connor described the document as a "climate deniers budget", criticising it for its lack of climate plan funding beyond 2021, threatened species protection and bushfire preparedness. She said her party would present an alternative budget next week.
"It was a perfect opportunity to put money aside," said The Australia Institute senior economist Matt Grudnoff. "They didn't do any of that."
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Matt Dennien
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
Matt Dennien is a journalist at The Examiner, based in Launceston. Contact him via email at matt.dennien@examiner.com.au, or more securely via Signal on +61 437 672 994.
