Tasmanian budget briefing: Premier and government ministers take answers from the floor in Launceston

Here are the questions and the responses from the government on health, net debt and climate change.

Q: Does the government have a pathway out of net debt?

Peter Gutwein: Absolutely. Over the forward estimates we increase the level of surplus. We can choose to keep the debt level as it is, pay it down or increase it. In the same way we go through the process in this budget, we will in future budget.

In terms of a government being in a strong position, it will depend on the investment decisions made at that time and the needs of the state. We make no apologies for where we are this year. We are carrying a modest net debt that we can manage it quite easily. It's important we get the investment out in the community.

Q: What appetite is there for the federal government to fund projects like the Marinus Project and Battery of the Nation?

PG: This [Marinus] is a nation-building project. As we move forward we would expect the nation to pay the bulk. Certainly, in terms of Marinus Link. In terms of the value of this project overall, it is a value both to the state, but importantly, to the nation. We will work with the federal government to work through those projects.

Q: Does the budget pick up climate change in its policies?

Premier Will Hodgman: Yes it does. It's [climate change] is important to all Tasmanians and there are measures in the climate action plan. Not that long ago, Tasmania become one of the jurisdictions in the world to have zero emissions.

We will be fully renewable in just a couple of years. That's important as well. It protects our communities and our environment that was under threat from bush fires. There is a lot of action and less talk on climate change but we understand its important

Q: Given the growth in community services in NDIS is there any specific measures to attract and retain migrants and anything to create pathways for those skilled workers?

Peter Gutwein: Want to make in the point of hiring, we have had no difficulty in hiring people. I've seen no impediment in terms of hiring people. In terms of the broader NDIS, over the next four years we are funding $4 million to the NDIS for those with disability.

I don't think we will have difficulty in attracting the interest for working in that industry. TAFE and UTAS are looking, well UTAS certainly already a range of programs to ensure they can have the necessary skills to work in those areas.

Q: How do you prioritise the important things in health?

Michael Ferguson: We could spend the health budget before lunch on some days. We look carefully about how we provide services. The Treasurer and Premier support me in terms of making sure we have the infrastructure we need. We are building more and a budget for additional beds to come online.

In Launceston we have a plan to build and redevelop the LGH and modernise it and expand it. We want to work with the community in regards to tobacco use, exercise to put downward pressure on the system.

We are trying to be more strategic and work at the grassroots with local community. Will have more to say on this in this calendar year, we are looking for more engagement with local communities, rather than large initiatives to drive change locally.

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