Liberal, Labor and Greens announce policies and commitments

The Tasmanian Greens want to see the rights of all Tasmanians enshrined in law, releasing their human rights policy.

Currently, Australia doesn't have a charter of human rights, something the Tasmanian Law Reform Institute has recommended be established for the state.

The policy would see a draft Human Rights Act based on the model proposed by the TLRI, and would include a Human Rights Commission and a human rights unit in the Justice Department.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor said all people, whatever their background, deserved to have their rights protected.

"We're talking here about the basics; the right to equality before the law and to equal protection of the law. The right to liberty and security of the person, their right to privacy, freedom of movement, freedom of conscience, thought, religion and belief," she said.

"There's a whole range of fundamental human rights that are simply not protected in Tasmania.

"Tasmania and Australia are among the only democratic jurisdictions in the world without a legislated charter of human rights. It means government and industry can trample on the rights of citizens without sanction."

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Labor is continuing its promise to upgrade infrastructure for community facilities, proposing $100,000 for the George Town Bowls Club to replace the roof and gutters.

"They've got ageing infrastructure and unfortunately a roof that's leaking, which puts the club and its operations at risk," Labor spokeswoman Michelle O'Byrne said.

"Without the investment in the club that turns over money, we can't make sure that they're providing for the more than 100 people who use this facility as members, and the many community members who book it as their community facility.

"We know that when we invest in sport and recreation facilities and keep people well, we take pressure off our health system and ensure that people are having happier, healthier and more active lives."

George Town Bowls Club treasurer Janet Pecar said it would be virtually impossible for the club to raise the funds required for the upgrades themselves.

"Any extra funds that we do raise at presence is for all patch work and maintenance on the building, we are continually having to replace timber work due to leaking windows, we have various problems, paintwork patching up, ceilings collapsing ... it's just general, all-round maintenance," she said.

"The extra kick was COVID - we actually lost $15,000 in revenue last year and that's a massive hole in our bank accounts."

The Liberal party announced its sport and recreation policy, with Premier Peter Gutwein describing sport as the "lifeblood of communities".

The policy includes doubling the value of the existing Ticket to Play voucher program - providing $200 in vouchers to help eligible children be involved in sports and activities, at a $3 million investment over three years.

The Improving the Playing Field grants program would also double from $5 million to $10 million, to assist sporting clubs with facility upgrades, with a $10 million no-interest loan scheme for sporting clubs to install solar panels, hot water and/or battery systems to save money on their energy bills.

The policy also includes $500,000 over three years for Reclink, to support at risk and disadvantaged Tasmanians to enjoy sporting activities.

Sport and Recreation Minister Jane Howlett said that the competitive Improving the Playing Field Grants program had so far funded 58 projects across the state.

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