'Middle finger' to Tasmanians: Labor, Greens blast federal budget

New funding for Tasmania in the 2020-21 budget - handed down last night - included an additional $401 million for infrastructure projects and $94 million to further progress the Marinus Link undersea interconnector.

However, state Labor leader Rebecca White said it had left her "bitterly disappointed".

"I think most Australians and Tasmanians would be disappointed to see that the budget didn't address the concerns that are felt by so many across our community," Ms White said.

"There should have been more investment into those Tasmanians who are doing it tough.

"Sadly, there's not a lot in this budget for Tasmanians. There's not a lot for Tasmanian infrastructure projects and there's not a lot in this budget for those who are doing it tough."

The federal government "could not be more brazen" about its "lack of concern" for Tasmanians on a low income, Greens leader Cassy O'Connor told reporters today.

"This is a budget that's all about providing tax cuts to millionaires," she said. "But what good is a tax cut if you don't have a job?"

FEDERAL BUDGET:

"This is a classic neoliberal budget, which is exactly the wrong thing that we need in a time of COVID pandemic, significant social and economic distress and accelerating climate impacts.

"It's a massive missed opportunity and it gives young Tasmanians and poor Tasmanians the middle finger."

But acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the budget was "a budget for the times" and complemented a number of initiatives the state government had already embarked upon as part of its COVID-19 recovery effort.

"This is a job-creating federal budget," he said. "The investment in skills, the investment in training, the investment in infrastructure, it's all about jobs."

"We want to get people back to work."

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