Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers on Tuesday night delivered on many of the promises the government made to Tasmania, including $20.6 million over four years for a palliative care centre and cancer support program at the Launceston General Hospital, $540 million in road funding and $100 million in new money to help upgrade water infrastructure in the state.
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The new government lavished funds across the North, including up to $35 million to help fund the Translink developments near Launceston Airport, $4 million over four years for a medical research centre at the LGH, and $6.1 million to help upgrade the Waverly Wool Mills plant at Ravenswood.
On the North-West Coast, the budget will provide $2.1 million to expand the Costa Group's berry distribution centre in Devonport, and $600,000 over three years to help fund Six Rivers Aboriginal Corporation, allowing its "Tiagarra" museum and cultural centre in Devonport to reopen.
In energy, it included $55.2 million over three years for redevelopment of Hydro Tasmania's Tarraleah Power Station.
In the south, there was previously announced funding of $50 million for Nyrstar's zinc smelter, $11.1 million to support Ingham's Sorell plant, and $2.1 million to replace a coal-fired boiler at Norske Skog's Boyer newsprint mill in New Norfolk.
The budget announcement attracted equal measures of praise and censure.
Tasmanian Council of Social Services chief executive officer Adrienne Picone said there was "very little by way of immediate relief" to help Tasmanians struggling with growing costs of living.
Federal Member for Bass, Bridget Archer, said she welcomed the government's decision to fund the LGH respite and medical research centres.
"However, there is lack of detail around Labor's own commitment to opening an Urgent Care Clinic in Launceston.
"As a key election platform of the current government, where is the detail on the promised clinic?" she said.
She also expressed concern about the funds earmarked for the Launceston City Deal, which "disappear" completely off the budget after 2025-2026.
Tasmanian Greens Senator, Peter Whish-Wilson, likened the budget to "warm leftovers" from the Morrison government.
He said there was no mention of Labor's promised $8 million to support recommendations of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce, including increase wetlands along the banks of the estuary.
"There is no evidence that Labor has delivered on this election commitment in this budget."
