Making the Great Eastern Drive even greater

Making the Great Eastern Drive even greater

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to a safer driving experience for both Tasmanian locals and visitors alike. We also want to attract more visitors to our regions to fully experience all that Tasmania has to offer. (more…)

Australian Space Agency agreement

Australian Space Agency agreement

Yesterday’s agreement with the Australian Space Agency will open the door to expand our science and technology sectors, drive economic growth and create even more skilled jobs for Tasmanians that will be vital for our future.

Full text of the media announcement:

Tasmania links up with Australian Space Agency

Tasmania will benefit from job-creating investment as the Morrison and Hodgman governments work together to advance the state’s space industry, today signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).

Federal Minister for Industry, Science and Technology Karen Andrews said the signing is an important step in integrating the work of the Australian Space Agency with Tasmanian efforts and capability.

“The space industry presents tremendous economic and job opportunities for Tasmania and all of Australia, especially after this week’s $150 million commitment from the Morrison Government to invest in Australian businesses to contribute to NASA’s Moon to Mars mission,” Minister Andrews said.

“This MoU establishes a framework for Tasmanian businesses and organisations to get involved in the booming space industry.

“The agreement will support Tasmanian businesses and research institutions to participate in international space projects and missions, while supporting the development of space skills in the state’s workforce.”

Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman said the signing was an exciting development and Tasmania was ready to participate fully in supporting local industries, job-creating investment and the national effort in space.

“Advanced manufacturing is a key economic driver for our state, and the Government is firmly committed to maintaining the growth in this important sector, which directly employs around 18,500 Tasmanians,” Premier Will Hodgman said.

“Today’s MoU, coupled with our strategies to grow our advanced manufacturing and science and technology industries, will further enhance Tasmania’s reputation for high-quality, niche products and give our businesses the confidence and opportunity to grow.”

Tasmanian Minister for Science and Technology Michael Ferguson said the state was well placed to participate in Australia’s growing space industry.

“Tasmania’s investment in new hypobaric facilities, growth of our advanced manufacturing skills base, our radio telescope network and our Antarctic gateway put Tasmania in a strong position,” he said.

“Through signing this MoU, our tracking facilities will play an even more prominent role in the next chapter of space exploration,” he said.

The MoU will also support the rollout of the Space Infrastructure Fund starting this year, which will invest $1.2 million in space tracking facilities in Tasmania.

The fund will support the upgrade of existing infrastructure to commercial standard to allow precision tracking of satellites and spacecraft for orbit and de-orbit tracking.

This MoU will also build awareness of the geographical advantages of Tasmania for the space industry and the specialist capabilities the state brings to space science and remote medicine as pioneered by the Australian Antarctic Division.

The Morrison Government has invested $533.3 million in Australia’s space capabilities as part of our plan to triple the size of the sector to $12 billion and create an additional 20,000 new jobs by 2030.

New program to help learner drivers

New program to help learner drivers

Great news for families of learner drivers planning to take their P licence test.

I’ve just kicked off a new pilot program, allowing learner drivers to take their P test with local driving instructors, in addition to our government service.

It starts this Monday!

What we want to achieve is more opportunities, in more locations and during more time slots (including Saturdays).

The Liberal team can be trusted to deliver on our commitments. I’m grateful to be able to do this, to help more young people get their licence, get trained, get a job and get ahead in life!

Michael.

More details:

Having a driver’s licence helps young Tasmanians secure work and access education, so they can fully participate in the State’s growing economy.

The Hodgman majority Liberal Government is committed to streamlining the process and provide the opportunity for more young Tasmanians to get the skills needed to get their P1 licence.

From September 30, the Government is opening up driver assessments to private operators, cutting the current wait time for P1 licence assessments.

The 12 month pilot allows newly accredited assessors to conduct testing outside normal business hours and on the weekend.

This enables assessments to be undertaken more flexibly and frequently, recognising the lives of many Tasmanians no longer revolve around the weekday hours between 9am and 5pm.

The new system will focus on road safety, integrity of the licensing system, professional development and the use of technology and compliance.

The move will maintain high standards of driver assessment, with the Department of State Growth continuing to manage bookings and compliance to ensure the integrity of assessments.

BMX championships are coming to Launceston

BMX championships are coming to Launceston

The BMX Australia National Championships are coming to Launceston in 2020! Held on March 23 to March 29 2020, the event is expected to attract more than 3,750 visitors to the state, with riders coming from all over Australia and New Zealand. (more…)

39 additional permanent beds for the North

An additional 39 beds will be permanently opened in the North by the Hodgman Liberal Government.
The State Budget 2017-18 includes a record $7 billion investment in health and delivers more beds, with 19 at the Launceston General Hospital (LGH) and 20 at the John L Grove rehabilitation centre, and more permanent hospital staff for the North.

Across the North we will employ more than 85 staff, including more than 45 nurses, and a range of doctors, allied health and support workers.
(more…)

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