Treasurer Michael Ferguson is trying to make Tasmanians believe that we have been short-changed by the Federal Government on GST, but the only measures he’s basing that argument on are his own $1 billion mistake.
Yesterday, Michael Ferguson tried to claim Tasmania’s share of the GST had been reduced in the Federal Budget, saying it showed “a reduction in support for our State”.
The fact is Tasmania will receive $788 million more GST than projected in the March 2022 Federal Budget, and $949 million more GST than projected in his own May 2022 State Budget.
The only mistake in this year’s Tasmanian GST allocation is a $1 billion error that the Treasurer made himself!
Whether that mistake was sheer incompetence or a feeble attempt to cover up his budget mismanagement doesn’t change the fact that Michael Ferguson is failing Tasmania as Treasurer – he has blown the budget with record debt and deficits.
While Mr Ferguson has been shuffled across numerous portfolios, one thing has remained constant – his continuing ability to wreck everything he touches.
This Liberal government has shown a complete disregard for responsible economic management over the near decade it’s been in power, and its Tasmanians that are paying the price.
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Treasurer