I am pleased to announce a $38m plan by the Federal Coalition to support investment and jobs in Tasmania.
A stronger Tasmanian economy and a higher standard of living for its people is the centrepiece of our plan for Tasmania.
We will be funding new measures to : make it easier for tourists to come to Tasmania; improve important roads and upgrade tourism infrastructure; significantly improve telecommunications; and further boost Tasmania';s credentials in education.
A complete list of measures is attached. These initiatives represent a real plan to boost economic growth and jobs in Tasmania.
These measures build on the Coalition';s strong track record in promoting growth and jobs in Tasmania. Initiatives such as $110m in support through the Regional Forest Agreement, $150m through the Natural Heritage Trust, $20m for the Abt Railway and introduction of the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme have all played a valuable role in Tasmania';s development.
The ALP stands condemned for offering a package of smoke and mirrors that provides no real support for Tasmania. The ALP offers no real support for investment and jobs. The ALP has no plan for Tasmania.
Attachment
Tasmania';s economic viability is the centrepiece of the 2001 Tasmania package. We will invest in Tasmania';s future, developing its physical, economic and social infrastructure, and build on the strong economic fundamentals of higher employment low interest rates, low inflation and jobs growth.In a third term, the Coalition will commit to:
an enhancement of the Bass Strait PVES at a cost of $15.2 million over four years; $13.6 million funding for the upgrade of significant roads; the creation of two infrastructure packages totalling $5.1 million, an Agricultural Infrastructure Package and a Tasmanian Regional Tourism Infrastructure Package; $3 million to assist the Boat Harbour and Sisters Beach communities with the redevelopment of their sewerage infrastructure; funding the development of a combined degree in Environmental and Town Planning at the University of Tasmania; providing funding to Mentor Resources to assist in the expansion of their valuable services to the small business community; consulting with Australian Maritime College and the relevant authorities and making the necessary amendments to the Maritime College Act 1978 to include the title ‘University'; in the institution';s title to assist AMC maintain and improve its globally competitive position; allocating $3.9 million to improve mobile phone coverage, improve internet access and provide more communication services in communities throughout Tasmania; and pursuing passage of legislation in respect to Regional Forest Agreements deliberately blocked in the Senate by Labor.