The Premier, Lara Giddings, said she would be considering the
detail behind the 2012/13 Federal Budget closely to determine its full impact on
Tasmania.

Ms Giddings said a $12 billion write-down in Federal revenues
would inevitably have an impact on Tasmania.

"Wayne Swan has tonight echoed much of what I have been saying
for some time about the impact of global pressures on our economy and our
revenue base," Ms Giddings said.

"Clearly all governments are having to take action to manage
their budgets in response to these challenges and Tasmania is no
different.

"Tasmania has already experienced a loss of more than $1.8
billion in GST and state-own revenue across the forward estimates and tonight's
Budget confirms a further decline of $114 million for the next financial year
based on our estimates in the mid-year financial
year.

"The State Government will include our Treasury's estimates for
GST revenue across the Forward Estimates in our own Budget next
week.

"This just makes it all the more important that we
follow-through with our responsible financial
management.

"It also highlights the folly of Tony Abbott's support for a
per-capita GST distribution method, which would rip up to $700 million out of
Tasmania each and every year."

Ms Giddings welcomed the commitment to extend a number of
National Partnership Payments that were due to expire in
2011/12.

"However we will continue to work with the Commonwealth to
preserve programs such as Digital Education Revolution and Home and Community
Care which expire in the coming financial
year."

Ms Giddings noted the Federal Government's commitment of $1
billion towards the National Disability Insurance Scheme over the next four
years.

"This is a good down payment which includes administrative and
start-up costs but there is still a lot of work needed to determine how the
scheme will be funded in full. 

"The Tasmanian Government will continue to pursue opportunities
to host a trial of the NDIS, but it remains our view that the scheme should be
fully funded by the Commonwealth, as recommended by the Productivity
Commission."