State Liberals hit back at critics and launch campaign
Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians.
The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June.
It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018.
Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances.
Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion.
It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable.
Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid.
However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction.
Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence".
"His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said.
"The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes."
The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project.
The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts.
"After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley.
Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal.
The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority.Tasmanians head to the polls on July 19.
Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians.
The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June.
It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018.
Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances.
Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion.
It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable.
Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid.
However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction.
Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence".
"His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said.
"The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes."
The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project.
The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts.
"After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley.
Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal.
The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority.Tasmanians head to the polls on July 19.
Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians.
The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June.
It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018.
Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances.
Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion.
It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable.
Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid.
However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction.
Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence".
"His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said.
"The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes."
The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project.
The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts.
"After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley.
Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal.
The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority.Tasmanians head to the polls on July 19.
Embattled Premier Jeremy Rockliff has hit back at growing criticism of his government's budget management as he formally launches his campaign to recapture the hearts, minds and votes of Tasmanians.
The island state heads to the polls next month after parliament declared no confidence in the Liberal minority leader in early June.
It will be Tasmania's second election in successive years and the fourth since 2018.
Debt is the number one issue, with the dissenting opposition and crossbench lashing Mr Rockliff over his handling of the state's finances.
Figures released last week by treasury forecast a worse position than estimated in the May 2025/26 state budget, with net debt to reach $13 billion in 2027/28, above the budget forecast of $10.2 billion.
It called for "explicit policy choices", warning the rate of debt growth was unsustainable.
Mr Rockliff will head to Tasmania's north on Sunday to officially hit "go" on his re-election bid.
However, in an attempt to beat him to the punch, Labor leader Dean Winter on Saturday unveiled plans to immediately find $1 billion in savings if he wins power and to put any windfall tax revenue gains towards debt reduction.
Mr Rockliff immediately dismissed the move as "a recycling of a number of policies already in existence".
"His plan to 'maximise government business profits' means higher charges, including increased car rego and power prices," he said.
"The truth is Mr Winter will increase taxes."
The major parties also traded barbs on Saturday on support for the proposed Marinus Link project.
The undersea electricity and data connector would link Tasmania's northwest with Victoria's Latrobe Valley and allow the smaller state to import surplus solar while exporting hydropower to the mainland grid where it could help reduce the risk of brownouts.
"After promising the project for 11 years - and delivering nothing - Jeremy Rockliff is now unsure whether he supports it," according to opposition energy spokeswoman Janie Finley.
Government counterpart Nick Duigan accused Mr Winter of wanting to "trade away" Tasmania's economic future by forfeiting a seat at the Marinus table and leaving Victoria to call the shots in any deal.
The Liberals (14 seats) and Labor (10) face an uphill battle to reach the 18-seat mark required to govern in majority.Tasmanians head to the polls on July 19.
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The Age
an hour ago
- The Age
LNP's ‘wait and see' policy black holes count for zero
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Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Tehan stuck with Dutton denialism over climate
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They are such a valuable resource that we cannot afford to see them whittled down by the indifference and even hostility of politicians and commentators. Andrew Macintosh, Cromer My younger brother loves to brag that he was the only family member to attend university. It's not entirely true because I attended one for over a decade as a paid member of general staff. I gained my business and admin skills at TAFE. My husband gained his chemistry certificate at TAFE and also went on to work in a uni laboratory. Over our combined careers of almost 100 years, we've been good taxpayers. I would also like to point out that our employers were constantly contributing dollars toward our training. There is a term they love to use in university administration – 'empire building'. I think we should move much back to TAFE and I know I'm not alone with that idea. Sue Dellit, Austinmer The Labor government's refusal to scrap the Job Ready Graduates policy is disappointing. The scheme is deeply discriminatory as many students from low-income homes start their university career by enrolling in an arts or social science program. Doubling the cost of these degrees effectively excludes thousands of low-income students and gives a lie to Labor's pledge to create a more equal and fairer society. Alan Morris, Eastlakes Road horrors recalled Your recent correspondent (Letters, June 28) recalled for me the time I was tailgated all the way down Bulli Pass by a fully laden coal truck about a metre behind me and with no room to pull over. Later, an amused local told me that the drivers do it to ease the boredom of the short trips. Even more terrifying was the time I was tailgated by a huge semi from London to Oxford in a sleet storm. Both experiences were character building; I am no longer afraid of anything on the road. Except perhaps getting lost in Darling Harbour. Coral Button, North Epping I would also like to call for more police presence where trucks frequent. Recently, driving my small car in the slow lane of the M1, I was menaced – there's no other word for it – by a very large B-double truck, the driver flashing huge lights and blaring a loud horn while bearing down on my car. I was fortunately able to change into the centre lane, only to see the truck doing the same to the P-plater ahead. I memorised the truck's registration number and, on reaching my destination, rang the police, who took the details, and I emailed the trucking company through its website. The company's response? None, not even an acknowledgement. I can only hope that there were police somewhere else on that truck's journey, as I'm in no doubt that the behaviour I witnessed wasn't a one-off. Randi Svensen, Wyong Vale, pen warrior Here I was, reading through Saturday's Postscript (Letters, June 28), smiling and chuckling while remembering the topics being covered this past week. And then, suddenly, I was crying. As with most/all people who frequent the letters to editor section, I know Joan Brown only through the section. When she shared with us that she had moved into a 'home', I knew it would not be long until I heard this sad news, but it has still hit me hard. I want more Joan Browns in this world. Her insight, intelligence and compassion for her fellow human beings oozed out of every letter she wrote. Condolences to her family and friends – how wonderful to have had this woman present in your lives. I'm sure I speak for everyone who frequents this section of the newspaper that it was a privilege to 'know' her, we will miss her greatly and will remember her often. RIP, Joan Brown. Annabel Doherty, Armidale It was with sadness that I read of the death of your delightful correspondent Joan Brown of Orange. She was a prolific writer, well informed and at times quite witty. She'll be missed but not forgotten. Rodney Crute, Hunters Hill It was with much sadness that I read of the passing of respected regular correspondent Joan Brown. Joan's contributions were always thoughtful, concise, forthright and direct. I'm sure her presence on the letters page will be greatly missed by fellow correspondents and regular readers. Derrick Mason, Boorowa
The Age
4 hours ago
- The Age
It's time, Sussan Ley: What Gough Whitlam can teach her about saving a lost party
In 1967, Gough Whitlam was in a strikingly similar position to Sussan Ley today. The newly installed Labor leader was little known to the public. He bore no resemblance to his unpopular predecessor. His objective was to modernise a party that had lost touch with modern Australia. illo from Joe Benke Whitlam came to the leadership after Labor had suffered a devastating electoral rout in 1966 – a massive landslide to Harold Holt's coalition, in which the number of Labor MPs was reduced to half those of the government: almost exactly the same ratio as the opposition today. When Sussan Ley gave her first big speech as opposition leader last Wednesday, Gough Whitlam was probably the furthest thing from her mind. Her speech was as un-Whitlamesque as it is possible to be: humble, self-critical, even apologetic. Frankly acknowledging that 'what we as the Liberal Party presented to the Australian people was comprehensively rejected', Ley went on to say: 'We respect the election outcome with humility. We accept it with contrition.' I doubt we've ever heard such honest self-appraisal from an Australian political leader. Yet, to draw a line under the worst defeat in the Liberal Party's history, that was precisely what the occasion demanded, and Ley hit the mark. It tells you just how far the party had drifted from the political mainstream that the very fact the speech took place at the National Press Club – second only to parliament as the customary venue for important political addresses – was itself a story. By returning to a rostrum boycotted by her predecessor, the new leader sent an unmistakable message: we're no longer in the echo chamber; the Liberal Party is back in the game. Ley used the speech to sketch a path forward for internal reform and future policy development. One of the most important issues she dealt with was the party's future approach to emissions reduction. She announced the establishment of a working group on 'energy and emissions reduction' policy. Led by Dan Tehan – one of the Coalition's most capable politicians, who was the only frontbencher to claim a ministerial scalp in the last parliament – it is tasked with developing policies that ensure a stable energy grid to provide affordable and reliable power, while reducing emissions 'so that we are playing our part in the global effort'. Ley did not specifically mention the 2050 net zero emissions target, which has been Coalition policy since 2021, although her carefully chosen language suggested no appetite to abandon it.
