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23 May 2019

Will Hodgman MP

Premier

2019-20 Budget: Maintaining the Momentum, Investing for Growth

Tasmania has come a long way in the past five years. Our economic growth leads the nation, almost 13,000 more Tasmanians have found a job, and our reputation as a visitor destination and producer of world-class produce has never been stronger.

But there is still more to do. And that’s why this year’s State Budget is all about Maintaining the Momentum and Investing for Growth, with a balanced budget in surplus across the forward estimates.

The Budget delivers record spending on infrastructure – an unprecedented $3.6 billion investment in building the hospitals, schools, roads our growing state needs. These are investments not only to deal with the demands of a growing economy, but are also major job creating projects.

We are delivering record funding for health, which is a top priority for my Government, with $8.1 billion in funding over the Budget and Forward Estimates. This is an increase of over $540 million increase on the level of health funding in the 2018-19 Budget.

With demand for hospital and health services growing rapidly, we are continuing to increase our investments in health to ensure Tasmanians receive care, quicker.

A record $7.1 billion will be invested into another of our top priorities, educating our children. This will enables us to continue the strong progress we are making in lifting education results by better engaging our kids in their education, so they can achieve their full potential.

We are delivering on our election commitments and our Plan to keep our economy strong and create more jobs; to invest in health, education and the essential services Tasmanians need; to take action on the cost of living; to build the infrastructure our growing State needs; and to protect our way of life and keep Tasmanians safe.

Tasmania is now a much better place to be, but there is still more to do. That’s why this Budget will maintain the momentum and invest for a growing Tasmania.