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