According to recent data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, spending is still shrinking and economic growth is now at its lowest since the 1991-2 recession, excluding the pandemic. Instead of investing in a billion-dollar stadium, the Liberal Government should prioritise the needs of the Tasmanians who are really struggling in their Budget.
Tasmanians are fighting to keep a roof over their head, as the price of essentials like groceries, power and housing keeps rising. Rights for renters, as well as free education and transport, will go a long way to helping Tasmanians in need.
Tasmania has under-regulated Airbnb and some of the weakest protections for tenants in the country, and this is costing renters. The Liberal Government can stop unreasonable rent increases, introduce minimum standards for appliances in rental properties to bring down power bills, and regulate Airbnb to free up housing.
Tasmanian parents are forking out hundreds of dollars a year to send their children to public schools. Education is a basic right, and it should be free. The Liberal Government can make public schools and TasTAFE free by abolishing school levies in the State Budget.
Public transport is a basic service, essential for the many Tasmanians without a car or unable to afford petrol and parking costs. Although the Rockliff Government introduced half-price fares for public transport, the recent figures show it’s simply not enough of the reduction in a severe cost of living crisis to make a difference. We’ve already seen a successful trial of free public transport during Covid, and it showed it’s time to make this a free service permanently.
The upcoming budget will show the Liberal’s priorities in black and white. The Greens sincerely hope they choose to put the interests of struggling Tasmanians ahead of unnecessary spends like a stadium
