The Premier, Lara Giddings, today detailed the massive investment in social and economic infrastructure contained in the State Budget.

Ms Giddings said the Government had committed to a $1.5 billion infrastructure program, along with a $2.9 billion program across government businesses.

"Over the Forward Estimates this amounts to a massive $4.4 billion infrastructure program that will make us a more productive and healthy community," Ms Giddings said.

"It is vital that we invest in infrastructure to ensure we can continue to deliver of services to the community, promote economic growth and to avoid asset erosion."

In 2012-13, the planned level of general government infrastructure investment is $437 million and will include:

• $37.4 million for schools and education infrastructure;
• $171.5 million for hospitals and health infrastructure (including the new Royal development);
• $29.0 million for housing;
• $148.9 million for roads infrastructure (including our Community Roads program); and
• $24.4 million for tourism, recreation and culture.

"The Government will also assist more than $10 million in Police infrastructure including the new $5.8 million Devonport Police Station being built by a local company Mead Con creating 180 jobs in the building phase."

Ms Giddings said the Government's infrastructure program helped to support the 20,000 workers in the construction industry and helped leverage private investment.

"Just today we have seen stories of companies employing more people and investing in Tasmania on the back of the $220 million irrigation roll-out.

"Our Government Businesses are also making key economic investments like the $400 million Musselroe wind farm and $4.6 million Devonport Airport redevelopment.

"We are also helping to support the NBN roll-out, which will create 800 jobs between now and 2015 and the IMAS and Menzies Research Centre developments."