Agenda 2008 is a new way in which the Government is making itself accountable to the Parliament and to the Tasmanian people.

It outlines the Government’s priorities for the next twelve months and beyond. It lays out a clear vision for the people of Tasmania and an action plan and criteria for achievement against which the Government will be measured.

Agenda 2008 places particular emphasis on children and the Premier is committed to seeing Tasmanian children leave school with standards of literacy and numeracy equal to or better than any in the country. He is also committed to those children going home each day to strong and healthy families and to adequate housing.

In addition, the Premier is determined that Tasmania will lead Australia with our program for social inclusion.

The Government has detailed eight core priorities for 2008:

• A Social Inclusion Strategy;
• Taking action on climate change;
• Building more public housing and reducing homelessness;
• Improving support and care to children and families;
• Lifting literacy and numeracy standards;
• Drought-proofing Tasmania;
• Growing Tasmania through investment in infrastructure; and
• Further building on the Tasmanian brand.

It is a progressive agenda that has social inclusion at its core.

The Government is combining the best of local thinking with solutions from interstate and overseas to deliver practical action for Tasmania through the appointment of a number of highly-regarded experts to provide input on government strategy in their respective fields.

Whilst Agenda 2008 outlines the government’s priorities for the next 12 months it by no means is an exhaustive list of government action.

Individual ministers are focussed on delivering results for Tasmania in their portfolio areas and as other issues of importance arise throughout the year they will be considered on their merits.

This is open government at work and an exciting time for Tasmania.

The Government’s record of economic achievement, since 1998, has turned around Tasmania’s declining population and stagnant economy to deliver a better quality of life for Tasmanians.

These achievements have provided the economic base on which the Government can now forge Tasmania’s future.

A future in which Tasmania’s children are safe and valued.

A future in which Tasmanians are connected and committed as a community to supporting one another.

A future in which we meet the social, economic and environmental goals we set for ourselves as a community through the Tasmania Together process.

A future in which investment continues to build a strong economy so that we can invest in the things that matter for the people of Tasmania.

That is the vision that drives the Lennon Labor Government’s agenda for change in 2008 and beyond.

That is the vision it will deliver.