Supporting our critical industries

12 November, 2020

Guy Barnett MP

2020-21 Budget: Supporting our critical industries

The Tasmanian Liberal Government has a Plan to rebuild a stronger Tasmania and the 2020-21 State Budget delivers for our vital industries that support thousands of jobs around the State.

The Budget confirms funding of $1.9 million over two years for the Agricultural Workforce Resilience package that has been critical in encouraging Tasmanians to roll their sleeves up through the Tassie Harvest Jobs, Take Your Pick campaign.

The package also includes a two-year boost to the Safe Farming Tasmania Program to ensure agricultural employees are workforce-ready and workplaces are COVID-19 safe, along with support for industry resilience, promotion and the targeted development of skills and training.

The Budget locks in $250,000 over two years for an industry-sponsored boost to regional transport as part of the Agricultural Workforce Resilience package, with industry currently working through the best models of support.

We are also delivering on our ongoing commitments through our comprehensive Agri-Food Growth Plan for 2018-2023 which recognises the importance of agriculture to the State’s economy.

Our primary industries will be more important than ever in our recovery from COVID-19 and this significant investment confirms we are backing the sector and supporting its recovery and growth, while making it easier to employ Tasmanians.

We are also supporting our world-class seafood industry with a $750,000 commitment to;

• Identify potential sustainable growth areas for new offshore finfish marine farms;
• Commence a review of the Living Marine Resource Management Act 1995 to ensure it is contemporary, flexible and able to respond to challenging circumstances; and
• Investigate the potential to accelerate innovation in Tasmania’s diverse fisheries, seafood and marine related industries and enhance their global market access.

Our mining sector is also set to benefit from continuing support with over $2 million in funding over the next two years to encourage investment in this important sector.

Mining and minerals processing operations continued during COVID, providing much needed employment and economic activity for Tasmanians.

Our continued support includes over $1.6 million to continue our successful Exploration Drilling Grants Initiative to help the minerals sector find and plan viable greenfield developments that will boost our regional communities, small businesses and families.

Funding of $150,000 will also be provided to gather up-to-date geoscientific data which will help increase investment and assist mineral exploration by continuing regional geological mapping and improving the currency and completeness of the current databases.

This is a Budget that creates jobs and provides the certainty and confidence our community needs, and we will continue doing all we can to support these vital industries and allow them to thrive into the future.