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Supporting Tasmanians during COVID

The Tasmanian Government’s COVID-19 social and economic support package has been the most generous in the nation. 1 The 2020-21 Budget includes ongoing and additional funding support in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

COVID-19 PROVISION FUNDING

$145m in COVID-19 budget provision, including:

  • $15m for Public Housing heating and energy efficiency initiatives
  • $10m for a Building Projects Support Program, to bring forward community or commercial shovel ready projects to help stimulate the Tasmanian construction sector and support jobs
  • $10m in additional support for hospitality businesses for energy bills
  • $10m to co-invest with the waste management sector statewide to build the infrastructure needed to collect and sort recyclable waste
  • $2.5m for an Arts and Cultural Support fund, including grants to support performers and artists bounce back and to support the arts and cultural sector to produce new work
  • $2.5m for a statewide program to enable and empower more women to participate in non-traditional jobs^
  • $4.4m for the COVID-19 Response Unit

KEEPING TASMANIANS SAFE DURING COVID-19

  • $600m to boost the Tasmanian Health Service*
  • $50m to meet demand in our major hospitals^
  • $45m for elective surgery statewide^
  • $23m for Emergency Accommodation Assistance (quarantine facilities)
  • $15m for airport infrastructure at the Hobart and Launceston Airports^
  • $500,000 to assist the Cancer Council Tasmania deliver its services
  • $3.9m for Community Healthcare initiatives^
  • $2.1m for Mental Health support programs
  • $1.3m for Primary Health Support
  • $1.6m for the COVID-19 Rapid Response Team
  • $3.5m for the Emergency Services Operations Centre ^
  • $929,000 for emergency accommodation of health care and other frontline workers

EDUCATION SUPPORT

  • $14m to waive school levies for eligible students*
  • $16.5m for the schools revitalisation program
  • $1.5m for the school excursions grant scheme

BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY SUPPORT

  • $4.1m for essential air freight and passenger services for Bass Strait
  • $10.5m for no or low cost VET courses as part of a $21m Job Trainer initiative#
  • $20m for Small Businesses Sustainability and Recovery Assistance Package
  • $2.4m for International Air Freight assistance
  • $12.5m for the Make Yourself at Home travel vouchers
  • $2m for more TasTAFE teachers in priority industries^
  • $6m for the Rapid Response Skills Initiative
  • $7m to support Parks operations during COVID-19 restrictions
  • $1.9m for Agricultural Workforce resilience^
  • $3.4m for Land Titles Office and Crown Lands resourcing to enable faster release of titles to market*
  • $2.5m to meet interest costs of the Business Support Loans Scheme~
  • $22m to extend to 30 June 2022 and broaden to all industries, the payroll tax rebate and Small Business Grants Program to hire apprentices, trainees and youth employees
  • $2.7m for the Tasmanian Trade Strategy^
  • An additional $4m for the West Coast Wilderness Railway to support its operations post COVID-19
  • $1m for the COVID-19 Small Business Energy Support Grant Program

HOUSING AND SUPPORT FOR THE COMMUNITY AND MOST VULNERABLE

  • $2.1m for the Child Safety System
  • $2m to expand the Private Rental Incentive Scheme to help low income Tasmanians enter the private rental market^
  • $16.8m to extend the Safe Spaces and additional general and mental health supports
  • An additional $500,000 for the Community Support Fund for those most in need
  • $1.6m in additional support for emergency food relief providers
  • $2.3m for family and sexual violence prevention
  • $1.2m for support for Temporary Visa Holders
  • An additional $350,000 over two years for TasCOSS to assist the community sector respond and adapt to COVID-19 challenges.

1 As a share of our economy according to Grattan Institute and the Australia Institute, and as a share of revenue according to ANZ Research.

* Over 4 years ^ Over 2 years ~ Over 3 years # incl Aust Govt Funding