We commit to ensuring that the $42.5 million in road funding for North-East freight roads that was announced three years ago is expedited and spent on priority projects such as the Bridport Main Road as a matter of urgency.

We will build on this investment and provide up to further $6 million for new projects to immediately support jobs, roads and the North-East community.

Over the last four years the State Liberals have taken the time listen and understand the challenges the people of the North-East face. As a result the party has committed to a range of initiatives aimed at supporting and creating local jobs, building local roads and the investing in the broader community in its North-East Package.

The initiatives we are announcing today will ensure that local roads are upgraded and importantly local jobs are created.

Furthermore in addition to the funding commitments made today a Hodgman Liberal Government also understands very much the concerns of the agricultural and forestry sectors here in Dorset. We know that water development has not been at the pace that the community would like or needs and we are committed to ensuring that water projects in the North East are given the priority attention they deserve.

The forestry sector faces challenges in both the short and longer term. We are prepared to back the industry as we have in the past and will commit to working side by side with it to face the challenges ahead. We have already acknowledged the need for short term assistance for contractors and will continue to listen and act when necessary to ensure that this very important industry sector remains supported.

We commit to expediting the $42.5M for North east freight routes as after three years the community has waited long enough. Dorset council have made a strong case for $10M of this funding to be committed to the Scottsdale to Bridport main Rd as one of the priority projects for the NE which we support.

The new projects announced today are:

• $4 million to continue the Lilydale Road upgrade. This is not conditional on federal funding however there is an expectation that the Federal Government will also commit funding. Furthermore our new independent body, Infrastructure Tasmania, will provide advice to government on prioritising roads in the North-East for the State’s Infrastructure Plan. This will ensure funding certainty in future based on independently assessed priorities.
• $1 million to begin works on the unsealed section of the Tomahawk to Gladstone road. This road is a key tourism and freight link road around the North East and the proposed works should assist contractors who have lost work due to the delay in the Musselroe wind farm project. Support from the Federal Government will also be sought.
• The proposed Bridport Western Road Access Project will be referred to Infrastructure Tasmania for consideration as a part of its development of a strategic infrastructure plan.
• $150,000 will be committed to upgrade the Bridport Recreation Ground as a first step to enable it to develop into a multi-purpose facility able to service the needs of this growing community into the future.
• $120,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Scottsdale Ex- Services and Community Club to undertake urgently needed repairs and maintenance and commence capital projects.
• $60,000 is committed over three years to assist the continued development of the North East Rivers festival and especially the centrepiece of this festival the iconic Derby River Derby.
• $75,000 will be provided over three years to enable the Dorset Men’s Shed to continue the appointment of a part-time co-ordinator to enable it to continue its vital work in supporting men through a range of initiatives.
• $100,000 for a feasibility study to be conducted by the Department of Economic Development on the benefits to the North-East community of attracting an international golf event at the Barnbougle Dunes golf course at Bridport.
• $90,000 towards new changing rooms and office facilities to further enhance the Bridport Bowls Club’s growing operations.
• $150,000 to strengthen aged care services in the North-East and to allow for a feasibility study to look at ways to improve aged care in the North-East.
• $70,000 to assist the Scottsdale Football Club to undertake essential maintenance at its clubrooms and meet a shortfall in the cost of lighting its ground.
• $75,000 to enable the Dorset Council to develop rest rooms/comfort stop facilities in Derby to enhance services available to visitors and build on the development that has occurred in recent years.

These announcements add to the Rapid Response GP Unit and Development Fund, already announced for Northern Tasmania. The Tasmanian Liberals understand Tasmanians are entitled to health care when and where they need it.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will fund a $500,000 a year to a Rapid Response GP and Development Fund to ensure no Tasmanian is left without primary health care in the event of unexpected GP shortages. Lack of access to primary health care puts additional pressure on hospitals and can compromise the health of Tasmanians.

The RRDF will be managed by GP North and GP Workforce in the north of the State, and will have the ability to act swiftly to respond to community needs, with a team comprising a GP, practice nurse and practice manager, to ensure patients have continuity of care in urban and regional communities in the north of the State.

The announcements today will improve community infrastructure, build on current investments in the North east and importantly create local jobs for local people.

Even before the tragically high number of deaths last year we still had the highest per capita fatality rate of any state. Only the Northern Territory had a worse record.

In 2009 the Northern Territory took action. It reduced speed limits, increased demerit points, doubled fines and got dedicated traffic police on the roads. The result last year was the Territory’s lowest toll for 30 years – a reduction from 74 in 2008 to 30 in 2009.

Through a similar range of measures the Victorian Government last year oversaw its lowest road toll since records began in 1952.

Here in Tasmania the Bartlett government did nothing to seriously tackle the problem and we saw our road toll rise from 40 in 2008 to 64 deaths in 2009.

Even that shocking rise was not enough to make Labor wake up and take action.

When asked about the disastrous road toll Police Minister Jim Cox said he’s “never seen a road kill anyone”. Perhaps that attitude is also the reason why Infrastructure Minister Graeme “goat track” Sturges keeps inventing reasons why the Midland Highway shouldn’t be upgraded to four lanes ?

Ref: Article in The Mercury

Labor not only has the wrong attitude to road safety, its ministers seem utterly incapable of initiating measures to save lives.

Throughout the past year I’ve highlighted new ideas and policies that can help reduce Tasmania’s road toll. I’ve spoken about driver training and education, tackling hoons, increasing penalties, improving our roads, and, for young people, linking behaviour at school to the ability to obtain a learner’s permit.

Videos and articles on road safety on my website here.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government road safety will be a priority. A whole suite of initiatives are ready to be implemented to make our roads safer and start saving lives. These include:

Speed Camera Revenue

The Tasmanian Liberals understand that there is a general principle not to hypothecate revenue received from fines, but do not accept that principle in regard to fines paid for proven speed camera offences. Given that speed is such a large contributor to car crashes which cause death and injury, we believe the revenue from speed cameras should be quarantined to be used for road safety measures, including public education and physical infrastructure.

Driver Education

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that any person who has had his or her driver licence suspended or who has been disqualified from driving because of an accumulation of
offences or a particular offence, should be required to undertake a short course which relates to driver behaviour.

In Government, advice would be sought from other jurisdictions which have had success with this initiative in improving driver behaviour.

Driver Training

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that, as well as sanctions to deal with driving offences, a responsible State Government would support incentives to encourage novice drivers to undertake professional training in defensive driving.

One incentive would be a rebate on the fee for a full driver licence upon providing proof of successful completion of a course which has been accredited by the State Government.

Safe Drivers

Consistent with our dual ‘incentive and sanction’ approach, the Tasmanian Liberals believe that there should be a rebate on driver licence renewal fees for drivers who can prove they have no driving convictions for the previous five years in any Australian jurisdiction, and who are not facing any unheard charges.

Black Spots

Permanent speed cameras should be installed at black spot sites which have been proven by police statistics to be common sites of crashes. The Tasmanian Liberals recognise that there is a cost for such equipment, so therefore the cameras would be rolled out over a period of time. In the interim, all recognized black spot sites in Tasmania should be sign-posted to alert road users.

Double demerits

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that it is time for Tasmania to join other Australian States in adopting a Double Demerit Point system for public holidays, including:

* On long weekends – when either a Monday or a Friday is a public holiday;
* Christmas – from 23 December until 2 January; and
* Easter – from midday on the day before Good Friday until midnight on Easter Tuesday.

Offences which would be covered include:

* Speeding;
* Not wearing a seat belt;
* Not wearing a motorcycle helmet; and
* Riding in the back of utilities, trucks, etc.

The Tasmanian Liberals believe that all measures to decrease speeding and dangerous driving during holiday periods and long weekends must be considered, and they should be adopted if they have proven successful elsewhere.

Experience in NSW and WA, which have both had Double Demerit systems for a number of years, has shown that fatal crashes and crashes overall decrease during Double Demerit point periods.

The Double Demerit point period would be advertised widely in the three Tasmanian daily newspapers on the day preceding the period, and on television and radio. As this Double Demerit initiative is centred on road safety, fine penalties would remain the same during the periods, and after three years, the Double Demerit point system would be reviewed by the Road Safety Council or other properly qualified people to assess its effectiveness.

Highway Patrol vehicles

Our Commitment – We will:

* Convert 12 vehicles to high visibility markings for Highway Patrol use in the first year of a Hodgman Liberal Government – i.e. 3 per Traffic Division. Remaining Traffic Division cars will be upgraded in the following year.
* Upgrade all other operational police vehicles to ‘suburban high visibility’ markings progressively over a five year period, as vehicles are replaced.

The Need

In the ongoing battle between Police versus Bad Drivers, the drivers are clearly winning.

They have little fear of detection and behave accordingly.

We need a ‘muscled up’ approach to highway policing that clearly serves notice that Tasmania Police – supported by the Government – are determined to win this battle.

Just over 70% of the operational Tasmania Police fleet are fitted with police lights and/or markings.

However, current vehicle markings vehicle colour does not sufficiently distinguish them from other special use Vehicles used by such agencies as Customs, Transport Inspectors, the State Emergency Service and private security firms.

In addition, police vehicles are not easily recognisable from a reasonable distance or in poor light.

This low level of visibility increases the potential for accidents, and has consequences both for officers and the travelling public.

Four-lane Midland Highway

The Midland Highway and Bass Highway form part of the National Highway Network and are the major freight and passenger route in Tasmania. Between 2001 and 2005 almost 40% of all Tasmanian crashes occurred on the National Highway (Bass and Midland Highways). Over the past 5 years, the Tasmanian Corridor Strategy has found that Tasmanian container freight has grown by 10.5% a year, but even with a more conservative 6% a year growth, Tasmania would experience a doubling of container freight in 10 years (by 2017).

Whilst population growth is not great, Tasmanians are moving from the centre of towns to urban fringes. The Strategy finds that there will be increased passenger travel. Passenger travel for education and services will also increase. Patient transport and travel by University of Tasmania staff and students are prime examples. General Freight transport by road is expected to double over the next 20-25 years. Tasmania will continue to have the highest level of car ownership per capita of any State.

Between 2005 and 2030, freight movements are forecast to increase by 70% and passenger movements by 40%. Freight carried by rail is forecast to increase by over 120% over the same period. Historically, the Port of Hobart was the main trading port for Southern Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Corridor Strategy has found that over the last 20 years, the Hobart port’s throughput has significantly declined, while the freight task between Southern Tasmania and the northern ports has continued to increase with more than 30% of containers leaving our northern ports originating from the south.

State and Federal governments have recognised this trend with the progressive upgrade to dual carriageway of the Bass Highway between Devonport and Burnie (now completed).

Since the Tasmanian Liberals committed to a long-term four-lane Midland Highway plan, Labor has made many incorrect and deliberately misleading claims about the project, effectively seeking to sabotage efforts to attract federal funds for this project and sending a message that Tasmanians don’t deserve quality infrastructure.

Drive our Economy Forward
Backing Business to Invest in Renewable Energy
Four-Lane Midland Highway
Getting Better Returns from Government Businesses
Making Tasmania a Magnet
Protecting and Creating Jobs in our Tourism Industry
Statewide Residential Planning Code
Tasmania’s World Class Tarkine – Growing our Tourism Potential
Fixing Tasmania’s Critical Infrastructure
Farming for the Future
Urgent repairs to the Midland Highway
Building Better Regional Roads
Abolishing Land Tax
Putting Tasmanian Products on the World Stage
Deliver Accountable Government
A New Culture of Accountability and Transparency
Fixed Terms
Greater Budget Honesty
Achieve Better Health Results
Smarter Health Care for the North
A New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital
At-Risk Children
Better Quality of Life for Tasmanians with Disabilities
A Fairer Tasmania
The Sooner the Better: No more Endless Waiting Lists
Upgrading the Mersey
Equity for North-West Cancer Patients
Exciting new health services for Tasmanians with the Royal Flying Doctors
More step down beds for the Huon
Raise Education Standards
Free Bus Travel for Students
Pathway Planning
Supporting students with Autism
A better deal for Teacher Aides and Support Staff
Better retention and results – ending the experimentation with our education system
Protect our lifestyle & strengthen our community
Continuing to make our Roads Safer
Double Demerits
Forest Protests
Linking Responsibility – At School and on the Road
Mandatory Employment Screening For All People Working with Children
Parole Board
Police Highway Traffic Patrols and High Visibility Police Vehicles
Police Workers Compensation
Road Safety Authority
Sentencing Advisory Council
Sex Offender Programs
Tougher Sentences for Sex Crimes
Vehicle Impoundment Program
Saving lives – providing specialist smoke alarms
Light Rail in Hobart

Fixing Labor’s Water and Sewerage Debacle
Using social media to reduce street violence
Supporting our Surf Life Savers
Strengthening Penalties for Arson
A Plastic Shopping Bag Free Tasmania
A New ‘Chance’ for young people in Glenorchy
Lights for King George V Oval, Glenorchy
Tackling Tamar Silt
Protecting Launceston from Flood
Devonport Aquatic Centre
Recognising and supporting grandparent carers

The Labor Party and the Greens should focus on the issues that matter to Tasmanians, not hypothetical post-election scenarios.

One of the reasons Tasmania is heading in the wrong direction after 11 years of Labor is because it has been too focussed on short-term political problems than the long term interests of our State.

In Question Time today, both David Bartlett and Nick McKim were more interested in speculating on the March election outcome rather than any other issues of importance. I call on them both to focus on issues that matter to ordinary Tasmanians, and on delivering the leadership and vision that this State needs.

That’s why in Question Time today, I’ve urged the Premier to agree to my request for a bi-partisan case to be made to the Prime Minister for federal funding for a long-term vision for the Midland Highway. I also tried to get some clarity from the Premier over whether he would ever support a four-lane divided highway, which is what Tasmanians deserve and what a Hodgman Liberal Government will deliver. Regrettably, Premier Bartlett provided answers to neither.

I sought answers as to how the government would fund the water and sewerage concessions it backflipped on yesterday and highlighted the comprehensive bungling of these reforms by Treasurer Aird.

The Tasmanian Liberals have also focussed on our leadership and vision in road safety, the need for the Premier to be transparent over the Scott Gadd contract scandal, and sought assurances that Tasmania’s GST share will be protected.

The insular navel-gazing being conducted by Nick McKim and David Bartlett – because of the tangled web that the Premier weaved for himself flip-flopping on this issue – won’t help a single Tasmanian.

The election is seven months away. We have spelled out our position.

The failure of David Bartlett and Nick McKim to focus on the issues that matter to Tasmanians during the first Question Time after the long winter break, show just how out of touch with ordinary Tasmanians they have become in the pursuit of power.

We need to build a culture of responsible driving in Tasmania and we need to start early. We need to begin that process in our schools, and we need to show the next generation of drivers, that driving is a privilege, not a right.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government, we will introduce two new initiatives to better prepare novice drivers for the responsibility of being on the road.

We will introduce driver education in Years 9 and 10, and completion of these courses will be a condition of a student getting a learners’ permit before they turn 18.

Secondly, students applying for their learner permit will have to provide proof of satisfactory school attendance and evidence that they have no pattern of suspensions or expulsions before they can get the learner permit.

Otherwise, they will not be eligible to be issued one until after they turn 18 or they have earned the privilege of being able to apply.

This is a visionary approach to road safety for our future generations – linking their responsibility at school to their responsibility behind the wheel.

If students want to play up and play truant, then why should we trust them with a drivers’ licence before they are legally an adult?

And I know that students itch to get their drivers’ licence – this approach will help ensure they understand it is a privilege, not a right.

Laws have been introduced in the United States to link school behaviour to getting a licence and we’ll draw on their experience in implementing our model.

We want to reinforce a road safety message before students start learning to drive.

And better driver behaviour applies to older drivers as well. In government, we would look at incentives to encourage mature drivers to undertake accredited defensive driving courses.

The Tasmanian Liberals have been leading on road safety for years. It is because of our leadership, that the government has recently implemented a number of our policies, including drug testing of drivers, high visibility patrol cars and car confiscations (although our policy goes much further).

Other road safety initiatives we will implement in government to make our community safer, and to make Tasmania a better place to live, include:

• Divert speed camera revenue into road safety
• Implement compulsory driver education for drivers who lose their licences
• Provide incentives for learner drivers who undertake professional driver training
• Install permanent speed cameras at identified traffic black spot sites
• Establish a dedicated Road Safety Authority
• Provide a more visible traffic police presence
• Implement double demerit points on public holidays and long weekends
• Confiscate the cars of hoons and serious repeat traffic offenders

We’ll also support Tasmania Police visiting our schools to talk to primary school age children about safety in the community, and especially on the road.

The motion deals with the issue of undetected speeding on major highways and was written and passed at the branch level in May 2009. So while it is timely to put the issue up for party and public debate, I want to point out that it has not been developed in response to yesterday’s terrible road fatalities.

The motion I have proposed, and which has been forwarded to all State Council delegates reads as follows:

MOTION 29
That this State Council recommends that permanent Registration Plate Recognition cameras be placed at specified points along all major highways to enforce speed limits. This should be used by police in addition to a permanent and properly resourced highway patrol to make our major highways safer for all road users.

Rationale
We all know that the Midland Highway should be upgraded to four lanes and properly monitored by a permanent police highway patrol. However this motion seeks to give an additional tool to police to target those road users who endanger others by flouting speed limits but manage to avoid spot detection (i.e. by radar gun and speed cameras). Motorists who can be proven to have travelled known distances in less time than it would have taken if the speed limits were respected should be penalised. To practically implement this policy, cameras would need to be placed in several locations to take account of the fact that many people stop for rest breaks (e.g. on the approaches to Campbell Town, St Peters Pass, Parramatta Creek). It would use already established and tested technology such as the system used in mainland states to monitor truck driver rest stops.

I’m taking this opportunity to bring the idea into a broader public discussion regarding road safety, prior to the state council next weekend (July 17-19).

We need new solutions to tackle bad driver behaviour in Tasmania, including those which have proven to work well elsewhere.

I know all Tasmanians will appreciate the way that all political parties are responding to this week’s terrible loss of life on our roads. The tragedies have served as a reminder to all people of goodwill to work together and find common ground on improving road safety for all road users.

The tragic loss of life this year on Tasmanian roads must be comprehensively addressed.

The road toll has already exceeded the number of lives lost last year, and we are only just half way through 2009.

In the interests of achieving a real bipartisan approach, and including all points of view, I believe what we need to do is establish a Road Safety Round Table, involving all sides of politics, the police and emergency services, the RACT, local government and other interested groups.

It is essential that a concerted attack on the causes of road deaths and injuries is mounted.

A Road Safety Round Table is the place to start.

It needs to consider serious measures to tackle this appalling road carnage which affects so many Tasmanians directly and indirectly. The Round Table could consider, among other things, penalties, road conditions, the importance of divided major highways, driver education and training.

There must be an approach which is a blend of sanctions against bad driving behaviour and incentives for responsible drivers.

=================================================

And a statement from Jeremy Rockliff:

Jeremy Rockliff MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
Friday 10 July, 2009

Tasmania’s major highway must be a divided road

• Tasmania’s 2009 road toll already devastating
• A multi-pronged approach needed to address this carnage
• Making Midland Highway four-lanes is unarguable

Yesterday’s three tragic fatal accidents add to a sobering parade of death and injury this year.

48 Tasmanians have already lost their lives this year – already more than in all of 2008 – and many more have been injured.

There is no single cause of road crashes and the road toll.

Speed is a factor. So are inattention, drink-driving and lack of driver experience.

In winter, you have to add to that the more perilous road conditions, with black ice and water on the road.
Much of the Bass Highway has been gradually duplicated into a four-lane divided highway over the last 20 years, with support from both sides of politics – state and federal.

It is now totally logical that that duplication be extended to include the Midland Highway, also part of the national highway network.

There can be arguments about the methodology, but it is surely time for arguments about the actual merits of a dual Midland Highway to be set aside.

This is a national highway with forecasts of large increases in freight and vehicle traffic over the next two decades.

It really is becoming a messy safety risk.

Over the past six weeks there have been thousands of extra truck movements on the highway due to the closure of the north-south rail link.  Combine that with heavy rain and the road even Labor calls a “goat track” is cracking up.

RACT public policy general manager Vince Taskunas confirms that sections around Ross, Oatlands and Pontville have become dangerous.

Southern Midlands Mayor Tony Bisdee says that repair programs were just “putting on bandaids” and not fixing the real problems. He added that the Federal and State governments needed to rethink their approach to the highway.

My mate Jeremy Rockliff (Liberal infrastructure spokesman) rightly points out that the current conditions highlight the need for a four-lane Midland Highway.

He said:

“The State Government’s own reports say there is going to be a 70 per cent increase in heavy freight on our roads in the next 20 years and if this highway is crumbling under the pressure of current traffic rates then it is certainly going to need attention over the next decade.”

• Click here to read The Mercury’s coverage

The only way to achieve the vision and leadership required to upgrade the Midland Highway to four lanes is to change the government. 

Vote Liberal in 2010.

Vision and leadership

Tasmania’s economic circumstances do not just demand a response.

They demand change.
They demand a brand new direction.
They demand leadership and vision for the future.
The last thing the State needs right now is more of the same from a tired, stale Labor government that puts its political survival and self-interest ahead of the long term interests of our state, and is letting Tasmania down.
We are seeing some of the consequences of that now.
Tasmania is heading into recession.
More and more Tasmanians have joined the dole queues and thousands more are set to follow. Households are struggling to make ends meet. Talk to any small business and they will tell you things are grim. And the State Budget has also been significantly affected by the global financial crisis.
We cannot blame this all on external events.
A decade of strong economic growth and record GST receipts has been frittered away.
The tough decisions, the long-term planning and the structural reforms – were never made.
This Budget demands strong fiscal discipline and a plan for the future.
But Labor has no plan for the future beyond the next election.
And after a decade of waste, excess and inefficiency, a complete change of culture is required to deliver the fiscal discipline Tasmania needs, not just now, but in the years ahead.
Tasmania needs leadership to make the tough decisions that are in our long-term interests.
To level with Tasmanians, and call it as it is, not shy away from the truth and sugar coat everything with spin.
But also to inspire hope and show Tasmanians that the situation we are in presents opportunities too; if we’re courageous enough to seize them we can emerge from this downturn stronger than ever before.
So we must start looking to the future and planning for prosperity now.
My vision is for a Tasmania where the government is trusted to make the right decisions; for the right reasons.
A place where local business is backed to create local jobs
A place renowned for its strength and unity – envied by the rest of the nation
But we won’t get there without leadership and vision, or without change.

Budget framework
We have framed our budget response so that it fits broadly within the same parameters as the Government.
Taking this approach also puts the Liberals and the ALP on the same fiscal footing in the lead up to the election.
It also means that we accept the Government forecasts on growth and employment and other measures as set out in Budget Paper 1.
We have done this because, at the time of the next election, the financial year will have only three months to run. It would not be possible to alter this year’s Budget.
This also puts an end to all Labor’s dishonest scare campaigns.
We both start from this Budget.
If either side wants to spend more it must say where the money is coming from – either how it will raise it or what spending it will cut to pay for it.
All the measures I outline today are paid for by identified cuts in Government spending, new revenues or unallocated funds.
The bottom line is that the operating result is improved under the Liberal plan compared to Labor.

Budget responsibility
There are some tough decisions that have to be made now.
And we must get our priorities right, now.
Tasmania’s finances have changed drastically since I addressed this House in response to the Budget last year, so we must adapt.
That’s why today, I announce that the policies the Liberals will take to the next election will be those that we announce between today and polling day.
The policy platform that we took to the 2006 election was framed in a different economic time.
We are a responsible Opposition and we cannot ignore the fiscal situation the State is now in.
I commit that Liberal policies will be affordable.
Today I will also outline additional savings and how these savings will fully-fund new policies, and those that I recommit us to today.
I am not interested in outspending the Labor party or throwing taxpayers’ money around to try to buy votes. That is not leadership.
And before I announce these I want to explain the fiscal strategy that will guide the shaping of our policy framework.
Under a Hodgman Liberal Government, the budget will return to the black by 2012-13 with both the net operating balance and the fiscal balance in surplus.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government, Tasmania will remain net debt free.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government we will do more for business by reducing the tax burden and making Tasmania a much more competitive place to do business.

Under a Hodgman Liberal Government capital expenditure will, at minimum, equal depreciation on a rolling four year basis.

And I will ensure that risks to the Tasmanian economy are managed to ensure that, even in these difficult times, Tasmania’s credit rating can be maintained.

Quarterly Financial Reports

A sound fiscal strategy requires clear parameters under which policies are developed. And importantly, I believe it also needs a commitment to honesty, transparency and accountability.

To provide for greater budget honesty, a Hodgman Liberal Government will legislate for quarterly transparent Financial Reports to be tabled in the Parliament.

These will report on revenue and expenses for government agencies, the number of Full Time Equivalent employees in government agencies, the number of new positions created in agencies and progress on budgeted infrastructure expenditure.

The last eight months have shown how quickly economic circumstances can change, and revenues plummet. Governments must not be able to pull the wool over taxpayers’ eyes and spend up big at the same time revenues are bleeding.
Other States and Territories provide quarterly financial reports to their taxpayers – one even issues monthly reports. But Labor abolished quarterly reports in 2003 in a bid to evade scrutiny, and that was in the good times.
We will be a government that really values honesty and transparency, fiscal responsibility and accountability.
And a Hodgman Liberal Government will produce quarterly budget reports for greater fiscal accountability.

Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority
Mr Speaker,
A government I lead will be one that offers vision and leadership, and one that delivers results.
The Lennon-Bartlett Government has amassed an extensive resume of unfulfilled promises, failed projects and wasted opportunities.
This government struggles to deliver results.
A prime example is the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.
It has lasted longer than the First World War but hasn’t delivered on the important task of progressing appropriate development in this exceptional part of Tasmania.
Over seven and a half million dollars spent, and there still isn’t a Master Plan for the precinct.
It would be laughable if it weren’t so serious.
A government I lead will immediately axe this extravagance.
It should be abolished immediately.
Its planning functions should be returned to the Hobart City Council. The Master Plan should be developed in the Office of the State Architect, with appropriate input from the Council and other interested stakeholders.
Waterfront development can be overseen by the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, in collaboration with the Hobart City Council.
This will save the state over $7 million over four years.
A Hodgman Liberal Government will immediately abolish the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority.

Anti-corruption and ethics commission
Mr Speaker,
David Bartlett admitted when he became Premier that his government was a mess. Since then, things have only got worse. Abuse of process, shonky decision making, cronyism, secrecy and evasion are hallmarks of this tired, 11 year old government.
The Premier promised to fix the mess, yet Labor’s budget provides not a single dollar for the establishment of an independent anti-corruption and ethics authority our state needs.
Once again, hollow words from this Premier.
Mr Speaker,
We will use the money saved from abolishing the Sullivans Cove Waterfront Authority to set up and fund an independent anti-corruption and ethics commission.
I also reaffirm today my commitment in government to apply a strict new code of conduct for Ministers, advisers and public servants, and implement a radical reform agenda to change the culture of government and make open government the law.
It’s a question of having the right priorities.
And my vision is of a Tasmania where the government is trusted to make the right decisions.
So it is a priority for the Party I lead to implement these policies without delay.
A Hodgman Liberal Government will establish an independent anti-corruption and ethics authority
Budget restraint
Mr Speaker,
For months now the government has been warning of the massive belt-tightening that is required, threatening public servants with pay freezes, even their jobs.
Yet this budget shows that elected Ministers have ducked the tough decisions and hand-balled them to agency heads.
Much of the budget pain has of course also been shamelessly deferred so that it doesn’t hit until after the next election.
This year’s Budget is one designed to get Labor through to the next election, not Tasmania through the economic challenges.
But now, more so than ever before, waste and inefficiency is not acceptable, and tough decisions must be made.
Mr Speaker, I announce today that we would:
• cut support for Ministers to save $4 million over four years;
• cut the government car fleet to save $6 million over four years;
• cut government advertising and promotion by $4 million.
• and cut fees payable for government boards and committees.
Tasmania has over 200 boards comprising some 1,500 members, and given that we all have to tighten our belts, we will be reducing payments to them by a further $1 million over four years.
We must make every dollar count in this economic climate if we are to look after Tasmania’s long term interests. Labor, however, would rather spend it on self-interest and self-promotion.

Mr Speaker,

Currently, the Tasmanian State Service has 285 Senior Executive Service officers. This number has grown by over 41 per cent since 2002, more than doubling the rate of growth across the broader public sector for the same period.

The Government has announced a reduction of 25 SES. We don’t believe that this goes far enough.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will reduce the number of SES by another 25 positions, saving $5 million per year for the next four years.
Mr Speaker,
As I have previously committed we will improve efficiency in government, and we will make the tough decisions necessary to do so.

Government businesses

In 2007 I said we need to investigate ways we can ensure government business enterprises have the best opportunity to prosper, and therefore enhance their returns to the state.

I can announce, Mr Speaker, that a Hodgman Liberal Government would establish a taskforce to investigate how to get better returns from government businesses.

The taskforce will be comprised of representatives from government agencies – State Treasury and the Department of Economic Development – and it will also include eminent economic and management specialists from the private sector.

The taskforce will receive an allocation of $250,000 and administrative support from those departments to undertake this analysis and report within 6 months on ways to improve efficiency and returns from all Government businesses.

On behalf of the shareholders – the people of Tasmania – a Hodgman Liberal Government will act to improve the returns we receive from government businesses.
Mr Speaker,
I don’t expect these decisions to be popular. But real leadership is not a popularity contest. It’s not about endless photo opportunities and ribbon cutting.
These savings are required to put our economy in the best possible position to emerge from this downturn stronger than ever before.
They will also promote a practice of restraint in government that is clearly beyond the current Labor government.
But today, also, I want to emphasise key elements of our policy agenda.
Our agenda, which differs starkly from that of the tired Lennon-Bartlett Government, is one which will;
• drive our economy forward;
• deliver accountable government;
• achieve better health results;
• raise education standards;
• strengthen our community and protect our lifestyle.

Small business
Mr Speaker,
As I have said previously, I fundamentally believe that a strong economy where business and enterprise can prosper is the best way to achieve that policy agenda.
I have repeatedly said that my vision is for Tasmania to be the most competitive and most attractive place in the country to run a business.
And I will back Tasmanians and Tasmanian businesses to get us through these challenging economic times.
In Tasmania, so much of our economic engine room is the small business.
And I believe that if we have the courage to put in place reform now, we can emerge out the other side of these economic challenges more resilient and better placed to realize our potential.
So today I announce key policy reforms that back business, and provide it with a better environment to prosper and to create more local jobs.
Our fully-funded business and jobs package will:
• cut land tax
• streamline planning approvals
• match payroll tax rebates
• protect and generate jobs in tourism
• and boost exports
And as economic times improve, so too will the capacity for greater reform and change. Our commitment and our policy agenda to back business will remain.

Land tax
Tasmania has the second highest Land Tax burden of all Australian states.
A recent Institute of Public Affairs Report concluded that “measures to reduce Land Tax liabilities are necessary if Tasmania is to promote a more business-friendly environment.”
Part of my vision is for Tasmania to be the most competitive place to do business, and today I reaffirm the Liberal Party’s aspiration to ultimately abolish land tax in this State.
I accept it would not be responsible to abolish Land Tax immediately, given the current financial climate, but nor can we afford to unduly burden Tasmanians and Tasmanian businesses.
As a sign of my commitment to making Tasmania the most competitive place to do business, today I announce that a Hodgman Liberal Government will make land tax cuts in its first term of office.
We will raise the threshold to $65,000, which means that almost 19,000 properties in Tasmania would not have to pay Land Tax, an increase of over 14,000 on the Government’s policy.

Planning
Mr Speaker,
Tasmania’s twenty nine local councils administer thirty eight planning schemes.
This is just ridiculous.
We cannot make our state attractive to business investment with a cumbersome planning system.
We need to seriously streamline our planning system, with an independent planning commission.
We need to remove inconsistency between different schemes, duplication, delays in approvals, and the miles of red tape.
It is holding up investment, and stifling new jobs.
Labor’s been talking about fixing it for 11 years, but despite one expensive review after another, little has changed.
At no additional cost to the Budget, my government will establish a single statewide, residential planning code.
We will use the successful regional template adopted by North West councils.
The consolidation of the thirty eight planning schemes to a statewide approach would significantly reduce the planning bureaucracy and deliver more consistency in the format, provision and application of planning schemes.
And in line with the intentions of the North-West Coast Regional Planning initiative, a statewide residential code would improve the operation of local planning schemes and planning outcomes whilst ensuring that regional planning considerations are preserved.
And we will work closely with local government and other stakeholders to develop such a code, and I will deliver it within my first year of government.

Protect and generate jobs in tourism
Mr Speaker,
We recognise that the tourism industry is a vital asset to our State, creating thousands of jobs and generating great economic and social activity.
But it also represents a glaring example of where the Lennon-Bartlett government has headed in the wrong direction.
Whilst other states are marketing themselves to the domestic market, aggressively chasing more tourist dollars for their State, in Tasmania the Labor government cuts the tourism budget; dismisses repeated calls for destinational marketing; cuts funding to our parks, and dismantles the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and the Arts.
Labor is not only missing an opportunity, but also damaging the brand we have worked so hard to build.
And Labor persists with spending $23 million on its flawed Tarkine plan it knows may actually damage tourism and the Tasmanian wilderness brand.
Because I back small business in this State, I back tourism to the hilt.
My government will invest an additional $5.5 million over three years in tourism promotion, to bring more tourists, and tourist dollars to our state.
And I’ll fund that by cutting waste from the government’s budget.
This is a higher priority than the absurd number of cars in the government fleet, or glossy government advertising, or spin doctors for useless ministers.
And our visionary Tarkine Plan will also provide a much needed boost to the industry, especially in the North West.
Our plan will directly boost jobs and tourism businesses in the North West region through
• $18 million for capital works on the South Arthur Forest Drive Loop, including the establishment of a visitor centre and upgrade of the western explorer road
• $500,000 for Tarkine eco-tourism capital infrastructure grants for environmental innovation
• $2.5 million for marketing of the region and the provision of tourism information services and upgrades and
• $1.5 million to the parks and Wildlife Service to ensure a high quality visitor experience within the Tarkine.
And, Mr Speaker, I can announce that under a Hodgman Liberal Government, there will be a Department of Environment and Parks.

Exports
Mr Speaker,
Nearly one in four jobs in Tasmania is in the export sector.
As an island state we have to export to survive and prosper. And we need to support those businesses in export markets.
Exporters are doing it tough, but there is still potential to tap into new markets, grow the level and value of exports in existing ones and help the Tasmanian economy emerge stronger once the economic storm clouds pass.
Labor, in a typically short-sighted way, cut export facilitation funding in the Budget.
My government will reverse that, providing $2 million over four years, because my government will be all about backing business to create jobs.
Mr Speaker,
A central policy commitment of a Hodgman Liberal Government is to back local business, and provide it with a better environment to prosper and to create more local jobs.

Infrastructure
Mr Speaker
We must invest in infrastructure that will generate wealth and productivity into the future.
It is an absolute disgrace that this government is still just talking about producing a State Infrastructure Plan – after 11 years in government.
Is it any wonder our roads are substandard.
Is it any wonder rail is at its knees?
We are committed a long-term State Infrastructure Plan, and a central element of it is to build a four-lane Midland Highway.
This is a National Highway, our main arterial highway, and even the Infrastructure Minister concedes it is a ‘goat track’.
And yet Labor does not believe that Tasmanians deserve better – now or in the long term.
Labor has not secured a better deal from the Federal Government for Tasmania.
A four lane Midland Highway is a major, long term project.
This is a 20-year plan.
But it’s Labor that thinks that the current state of the Midland Highway adequate.
The Tasmanian Liberals do not.
We will not accept second best for Tasmania.
Our plan allows for the high speed sections of the highway to be upgraded progressively.
The initial estimates of the costs associated with the works on the high speed sections of the highway, which together amount to about 120 kilometres of road, is expected to be approximately $400M.
Consistent with AusLink funding arrangements, we will seek federal funding at 80% of the cost as this is a National Highway project.
Planning will commence in 2011/12 and we will allocate funding to begin this work.
Mr Speaker,
A Hodgman Liberal Government will act on the vision to upgrade the Midland Highway to four lanes.
Mr Speaker,
Importantly, we will also continue to advance our vision to build a state water grid to usher in a new era for irrigated agriculture in Tasmania.
And of course, Tasmania needs an efficient, working rail system.
It is essential to our industry, to our transport and export links, and to minimise the amount of heavy freight on our roads.
This Labor Government has overseen our rail system grinding to a halt
And federal money allocated four years ago specifically for rail remains largely unspent.
The Tasmanian Government has the obligation to take charge and to find a solution urgently.
The Shadow Minister for Infrastructure will elaborate on these, and other important infrastructure challenges in his reply speech.

A smarter Tasmania

Mr Speaker,
We have a fundamental commitment to a creating a smarter Tasmania.
And given the government says it shares the community’s concerns about our low school retention rates, we simply cannot understand Labor’s decision to end Pathway Planning for Tasmanian high school students.
I announce today that a Hodgman Liberal Government would invest $2.5 million a year into Pathway Planning for Tasmanian high school students. The money will go directly into our high and district high schools, to ensure that up to 35.5 FTE Pathway Planning positions are available to work directly with students, schools, training providers, industry and the community.
Their role will be to help students understand, plan and develop potential pathways to engaged future learning, training and qualifications, and job futures.
This is a vital service to also help students that are disengaged, have special needs, contribute to absenteeism in high schools, and need to find a positive focus toward work, learning, and self worth.

A fairer Tasmania
Mr Speaker,
Just eight months ago the Joint Committee on Community Development tabled a substantial and yet damning report that highlighted the inadequate funding of the Community Equipment Scheme.
The report found that children needing wheelchairs had outgrown them by the time they arrived and people were bedridden for weeks while parts were sought for their wheelchairs.
This is certainly not a kind, clever and connected Tasmania.
A Liberal Government will inject an additional $1.5 million per year into the Community Equipment Scheme which provides equipment, aids and technology to Tasmanians with a disability. This amount will be indexed annually.
The timely provision of equipment and technologies to people with disabilities should be seen as a social investment as it helps to prevent the deterioration of conditions that would otherwise need more intensive and costly interventions.
More importantly, it helps to restore dignity to the individual.

Health infrastructure for the future
Mr Speaker
We have to fix our public hospitals and improve health services to Tasmanians.
Despite record amounts of spending, under Labor hospital waiting lists have increased dramatically.
And for 11 years, Labor has presided over the deterioration of Tasmania’s major public hospital.
For the last three years they have been obsessed with building a new hospital on the waterfront.
And now, after three years of mismanagement and millions of dollars wasted, they have abandoned their warped plan and promised a $2 billion hospital somewhere down the track that is not costed, or funded.
This is a Bartlett black-hole.
This appalling episode typifies a tired government that makes poor decisions and can’t deliver major projects.
What a waste of 11 years in government.
Tasmania needs a New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital and we will build one.
And our New Generation Royal Hobart Hospital will be built without taking Tasmania into debt.
TOTE Tasmania represents a truly Tasmanian asset. It is held in trust by the government on behalf of the people of Tasmania. Now it is up for sale, it is essential that all Tasmanians benefit from the proceeds.
We know, given that the Treasurer did not include a sale price in the budget papers, that this Labor government intends to squander the proceeds from the sale of TOTE on short-term vote-buying for its own political survival.
That is unconscionable.
Any money from the sale of TOTE must be used to benefit all Tasmanians.
I announce today that we will establish a New Generation Infrastructure Fund from the revenue of the sale of TOTE Tasmania.
Its prime purpose will be to fund a New Generation Hobart Hospital, and also to upgrade hospital and other capital infrastructure around Tasmania.
Mr Speaker,
A Hodgman Liberal Government will build a New Generation Hobart Hospital.

School bus fares

Mr Speaker,
A Hodgman Liberal Government will also make bus travel free for students travelling to and from school, using a funding model that will ensure there will be no change to the contractual arrangements currently in place for private school bus operators.
We believe in improving public transport options and making school more accessible and less expensive for all parents, whether they choose to send their children to a public school or a non-government one and regardless of where they live.
We estimate this commitment to Tasmanian parents and their school-age children will be an ongoing annual cost of up to $8 million, and we will fully fund that by cutting the government’s wasteful budget.
A Hodgman Liberal Government will make bus travel free for students travelling to and from school.

Conclusion
Tasmania is facing dark economic times but our potential remains immense and our future is bright – if we make the tough decisions that are needed now, and plan properly for our future.
I will lead a financially responsible and disciplined government.
I am not interested in outspending a Labor party more interested in its own short term interests, than the long term interests of our state.
These financial circumstances demand more than a survival plan for a Labor government.
They demand change.
A more disciplined and responsible approach to how we manage our finances.
And change in how we spend that money to deliver Tasmanians the services and the infrastructure the state needs and deserves.
Mr Speaker,
I remain committed to an action agenda that;
• gives business the best environment to prosper;
• builds infrastructure for our future;
• gives Tasmanians the quality health and education systems they deserve.
• And protects our lifestyle and strengthen our communities.
And despite the immense challenges of the day my vision for Tasmania remains.
Where the government is trusted to make the right decisions; where local business is backed to create local jobs; and where all Tasmanians have the opportunity to achieve their potential.