Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

The senator is very clear in what she said. She said 'has been' a mendicant state. As of March this year it is no longer so, because good government has been delivered to the people of Tasmania through the ballot box by electing Will Hodgman as the Premier. As we speak—or very soon hereafter—Treasurer Peter Gutwein will be delivering their first budget, which will restore Tasmania's fortunes.

I agree with Senator Johnston that, unfortunately, the mentality of the Labor and Labor-Green governments that were inflicted on Tasmania for the past 16 years was a mendicant mentality. But the people of Tasmania have thrown themselves free of those shackles by electing a majority Liberal government, and today we Tasmanians, Senator Urquhart, are going to get the benefit of the first Liberal budget in 16 years. (Time expired)