Jacqui Lambie (Tasmania, Jacqui Lambie Network) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

In economist Saul Eslake's words, the Tasmanian budget handed down by Treasurer Michael Ferguson last week is 'a triumph of politics over economics'. By the end of 2028, Tasmania will be $8.6 billion in debt. That's a record, but, sadly, not one that comes with a gold medal.

The Tasmanian Liberal government tells anyone who will listen that they are the most responsible managers of Tasmania's taxpayers' money. If Tasmania were a company, today it would be in receivership and the CEO would be lucky to get a gig in the future. But this is politics, and apparently, as long as you keep promising stuff to your voters, you don't get held accountable. The Jacqui Lambie Network member for Lyons, Andrew Jenner, won't sign a new agreement with the Rockliff government because the Premier refused to end the Liberal Party's use of public funds to pay for what the Integrity Commission has labelled 'electoral bribery'. As Mr Jenner put it, 'It is nothing more than blatant vote-buying at taxpayers' expense.'

Treasurer Ferguson has announced a record spend on infrastructure: $5.1 billion of Tasmanian taxpayers' money. Saul Eslake found that, over the next three years, Tasmania will be running the country's largest public sector infrastructure program relative to its size. The current Tasmanian Liberal government is good at ignoring things. They have ignored all of Mr Eslake's suggestions for raising revenue. Tasmania, like the rest of Australia, is dealing with a cost-of-living crisis. But, instead of addressing this, Treasurer Ferguson has delivered a budget which prioritises infrastructure projects over the Tasmanian people—like that stadium that we don't need. The Mercury reported today that the cost has already blown out by $60 million. But don't worry, Tasmanians—apparently that is just part of the 'design process'. We don't need a stadium with a roof. We need roofs over people's heads, a health system that works and schools that are preparing our students for the 21st century.