Nov 5, 2025
Tasmanian Labor has the chance to send a clear and united message in the fight for the future of the Bell Bay Aluminium smelter. Liberal Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, will move a Private Member’s Motion, calling on all Members of Parliament to join together in support of Bell Bay Aluminium, its workforce, and the Northern Tasmania community.
“Bell Bay Aluminium is a cornerstone of the Northern Tasmanian economy, directly employing over 550 people and supporting hundreds more through a supply chain of almost 300 local businesses,” Mr Ferguson said. (more…)
Nov 5, 2025
The Tasmanian government has paved the way to secure the immediate future of Bell Bay Aluminium with an in-principle 12-month power agreement. The agreement will allow time for the State Government to continue to work with the company and the Federal Government on a long-term plan for the smelter. (more…)
Apr 2, 2025
2 April 2025
Michael Ferguson, Liberal Member for Bass
Giving in to Federal Greens policies would wipe an astonishing $4 billion annually off Tasmania’s GSP and destroy 15,500 jobs, according to a simple review of ABS data.
“The Greens have made it clear that they want to shut down Tasmania’s job-rich mining, aquaculture and forestry industries,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Based on the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics, approximately 15,500 Tasmanians are employed in these industries, collectively contributing $4 billion to our economy each year. The Liberal Party value these jobs and these people. Tasmania needs these vital industries.
“That’s a whopping 10.5 per cent of Tasmania’s GSP that would be at massive risk when Labor does a deal with the Greens to form Government.
“To put it another way, Tasmanian households would be $17,000 worse off each and every year.
“This is before the Greens kill off our defence industries, our advanced manufactures and other productive industries.”
Mr Ferguson said that based on Labor’s failure to genuinely and quickly stand up for aquaculture jobs in Macquarie Harbour, Tasmanians were right to be fearful of a re-elected Labor government in Canberra, propped up and held hostage by the Greens.
“Tasmanians have seen the Labor-Green nightmare before, from 2010 to 2014. Tasmania went into recession, and 10,000 Tasmanians were sent to the unemployment scrap heap.
“The impacts are still being felt 10 years later, and Tasmanians will never forget.
“That’s why we unashamedly say – Tasmania can’t afford to risk another Labor-Green Government.”
Nov 29, 2024
29 November 2024
Michael Ferguson, Liberal Member for Bass
The Tasmanian Liberal Government is supporting state-of-the-art infrastructure investments across Tasmania as part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
Liberal Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, said it was an honour to join key stakeholders in celebrating one of Tasmania’s most innovative and sustainable building projects right here in Launceston.
“The St Lukes building is a public-private success story with the State Government contributing $1 million towards the new build as part of round two of our Building Projects Support Program we designed to protect the construction sector during the pandemic,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Such a major investment in Launceston’s CBD is a show of confidence in our city and demonstrates business growth in Northern Tasmania.
“This is evident by the blue-chip tenants taking up leases in the building including Allianz, Salveo, Newton & Henry, ReadyTech and now Bank of Us announced today.
“This economic boost is addition to the construction phase which supported innovative Tasmanian design, construction and timber engineering businesses.”
Nov 19, 2024
19 November 2024
Michael Ferguson, Liberal Member for Bass
Liberal Member for Bass, Michael Ferguson, said he remains firmly in support of a mandatory pre-commitment card-based system in Tasmania.
“While I’m of course very disappointed that the policy has been deferred, I am somewhat satisfied at the very least that it is deferred and has not been destroyed,” he said.
“I’ll be working within our Liberal team to ensure that our promised reforms eventuate so that we can help those who need it.
“I’ll continue to support exploring ways to progress what can only be described as nation-leading and overdue reform.”
Apr 17, 2024
The Rockliff Liberal Government is working hard to make Tasmanian roads safer and more efficient.
Minister for Infrastructure, Michael Ferguson, said the Government is now inviting feedback from the community on ways to improve the Tasman Highway between Sorell and Launceston.
“Tasmania’s increasing population, strong economy and prudent budget means we can upgrade more roads and bridges for Tasmanians.
“The consultation will help us identify a priority list of opportunities to improve this 390-kilometre section of the highway to meet the future needs of local communities, visitors, and industry,” the Minister said.
“Opportunities may include improving safety and traffic flow issues, active and public transport options and upgrades that would support economic growth.”
A community consultation period will run until 20 May 2024 and will include a variety of ways in which the public can share their views.
These include an online survey and interactive map and public displays at Sorell, Launceston, Dorset, Break O’Day and Glamorgan Spring Bay council offices from Friday, 19 April.
There will also be 10 consultation sessions at various locations and dates where members of the project team will be available to answer questions and people can provide feedback.
Full details of how you can be involved, including through the survey, map, displays and sessions, are available on the Transport website at www.transport.tas.gov.au/tasman_highway_corridor.
Minister Ferguson said the feedback received will be used to identify what is important to the community and help us prioritise projects in developing the strategy and a list of short, medium and long-term improvement opportunities that can be put forward for funding.
“The Tasmanian Liberal Government is delivering safer roads for Tasmanians so they can get to their destinations safer and more efficiently.”
