Healthcare, health of kanamaluka /Tamar Estuary and support for start-ups and entrepreneurs are the three top priorities of the Launceston Chamber of Commerce in the lead-up to election day.
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Chamber executive officer David Peach said they were seeking commitments towards and bi-partisan support of the items of key interest to Launceston businesses and Northern Tasmania, with their focus moving towards post-pandemic economic recovery and growth.
On their healthcare wishlist, the Chamber is seeking support for a memorandum of understanding to be established for a co-located private and public hospital without delay.
"The model has been proven multiple times around the country," Mr Peach said.
"Each time a co-located private and public hospitals is established the health and economic outcomes are immediately improved."
The chamber is also seeking health reform at a regional level with early interaction, with the aim of delaying entry into the public health system.
For kanamaluka /Tamar Estuary, the Chamber is seeking a health masterplan with a short and long term view, with a focus on environmental sustainability as the foundation for recreational amenity and economic value.
"We believe that can only come from an independent, adequately resourced, and legislatively empowered authority that can form and invoke a masterplan with an intergenerational view that elevates the management of the estuary above political cycles," Mr Peach said.
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The Chamber also wants to see Tasmania become a "haven" for start-ups, saying there are the beginnings of a start-up eco-system in Northern Tasmania thanks to early work.
"Our start-ups are more likely to come from the industries where we're naturally well-endowed: Agritech and food production and especially fermented products; sectors which are regionally dispersed," Mr Peach said.
"The time is now to extend that work with the appointment of a Chief Entrepreneur - a formalised role that is the catalyst and coordinator between government and the innovation community to start-up and scale up Tasmania's entrepreneurs.
"In practical terms, this means removal of impediments, access to mentors & VC's, financial advice and other support to advance ideas and plans that creates attractive investments.
"Where other states have created this role, their start-up eco-systems have flourished. Launceston has a proud history of firsts, and we need to focus forward to get ahead, not just keep-up."
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