Treasurer Michael Ferguson promised a budget that would address the cost of living crisis.
Instead, what he has handed down is a budget that will do little to provide the basic essentials for Tasmanians.
With a growing number of Tasmanians turning to community services for assistance, Treasurer Ferguson’s budget was an insult to those in the sector who have stepped in to fill the void.
The budget failed to provide adequate indexation for organisations to cover their own costs, which will likely result in vital services being cut and organisations having to make difficult decisions about staffing levels and other operational expenses.
The government has failed to see the critical value of these essential services, which will leave the most vulnerable with nowhere to turn.
Sadly, this will only worsen when government departments are forced to make $300 million in cuts so that the minority Liberal Government can fund their billion dollar taxpayer-funded stadium.
With the least affordable rental market in the state, skyrocketing power prices and one in two Tasmanians facing food insecurity because of the rising cost of living, demand for support is growing.
Tasmania is in the grips of a cost-of-living crisis, yet the Rockliff Liberal Government is failing to provide any meaningful relief.
If they haven’t addressed the cost of living crisis in their 10 years in office, they never will.
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Community Services