Tasmania's health system has been allocated an additional $54 million in Commonwealth funding from 2017 to 2020 as a result of an agreement struck at today's COAG meeting.
In addition, the proposal to allow states to individually levy income tax, which would have hurt Tasmania, will not proceed.
Both of these outcomes are very good news, and a result of our strong advocacy on behalf of the state.
While the additional health funding is very welcome and much needed, it is only a first step in restoring funding cut in 2014, and the issue of future education funding remains unresolved. The Commonwealth has advised that they are continuing to consider their position on this matter.
We have also agreed to work cooperatively with the Commonwealth Government and other states on a proposal to receive a fixed share of income tax revenue, on an equitable basis.
This would give the state more funding certainty, flexibility on how to spend it, and subject to more detailed work, potentially additional funding over time which could be invested into health and education.
I also raised the matter of a second Bass Strait energy interconnector. The Prime Minister, along with other jurisdictions, expressed strong support for further detailed examination of the issue.