Following the alarming development of both S&P and Moody’s downgrading Tasmania’s credit outlook in the past few months, it’s clear the state is headed towards budget oblivion unless the Liberals change course.

Despite the growing alarm, Treasurer Guy Barnett has his head buried in the sand and has failed to even acknowledge the warnings from both major credit agencies.

Last year – in response to concerns about the direction of the budget – the Treasurer mechanically repeated that he had a “pathway” to surplus, but he couldn’t actually show Tasmanians what that was.

The Revised Estimates Report, which is akin to a mini-budget, is due before the middle of February.  

Today, I’m calling on the Treasurer to put his money where his mouth is and outline how he will deliver a surplus in 2029-2030 before the RER is released.

There is no pathway to surplus in 2029-2030 unless Treasurer Barnett can prove it. Even then, the state's debt won't stabilise until a cash surplus can be achieved. 

Jeremy Rockliff’s minority Liberal Government lost the confidence of the business community with its handling of the Spirits fiasco, which became a far bigger mess than it needed to be because no one admitted there was a problem.

With the Treasurer still keeping his head in the sand while Tasmania’s debt and deficit spirals out of control and credit agencies circle, it looks like the state budget is on the same course as the Spirits.

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer