23 May 2019

Will Hodgman MP

2019-20 Budget: Our Plan for strategic growth and jobs

Since coming to Government and delivering our plan, Tasmania’s economy has risen to be one of the country’s strongest, and its best performing in many areas.

Almost 13,000 jobs have been created in the past five years and our businesses are the most confident in the country.

The 2019-20 State Budget is about maintaining the momentum in Tasmania and investing for growth so all Tasmanians  in every region have the opportunity to participate in and benefit form a strong economy.

The Budget includes $6 million to develop and implement the Government’s Strategic Growth framework, which will take a whole-of-government approach to policy, planning and investment for sustainable, long term growth, to ensure all Tasmanians can participate in and benefit form a strong economy.

It’s about delivering on our 10 year $13.9 billion infrastructure plan, coordinating this with education, skills and training programs to unlock the potential of our regions and create even more jobs, so local people have the best chance to live and work in the place they call home.

As part of this program we are delivering a range of jobs and economic growth initiatives, including:

• $2.9 million to address current and predicted workforce needs to deliver skilled workers to meet demand over the next 3-5 years, aligned to the Government’s $13.9 billion, 10 year Infrastructure Pipeline.
• Continuing the successful payroll tax rebate scheme and small business grants until June 2021 to support the employment of around 4,500 young Tasmanians as apprentices and trainees.
• Continuing the payroll tax cut for business to support the creation of around 650 new jobs.
• A new $1.2 million Business Events Attraction Fund to bring major national and international business events to Tasmania.
• $1 million for new programs and initiatives to support jobs under the Business Growth Strategy 2018-2023.
• Continuing the $4.1 million partnership with the TCCI and TasCOSS to address barriers to work in four regions – the Derwent Valley, Sorell and South-East, Break O’Day and the West Coast.
• $300,000 partnership with the Cradle Coast Authority to deliver strategic local economic and employment growth projects in the North West.
• $4.4 million for the Tasmanian Trade Strategy to further boost Tasmanian exports and jobs.
• $2.8 million to develop Tasmania’s first ever Defence Industry strategy
• An unprecedented $3.6 billion investment in job-creating infrastructure projects around the State, including roads, rail and bridges, housing, schools, hospitals, police and ambulance station upgrades, and prisons.

Tasmania has come a long way in the last five years, but we know there is more to be done and our best days lie ahead of us.