The 2024-25 Budget secures increased funding in the things Tasmanians care about, like cost of living, health and housing.
Treasurer, Michael Ferguson, said that with just four sleeps until the Budget, Tasmanians can be confident that this Budget will not only take action in these critical areas, but it will also invest in our communities and the economy.
"At the same time, the Budget will ensure we keep our economy strong, create jobs and make Tasmania the best place to live, work and raise a family," the Treasurer said.
"Over the last six years, Tasmania has been the strongest performing state economy in the country, growing by 19 per cent over that time. Our economy is expected to have grown by a further two per cent in the 2023-24 financial year, and the outlook remains positive.
"Tasmania's labour market continues to be incredibly strong, with unemployment at a near record low of 4.1 per cent.
"However, high inflation and interest rates continue to put significant cost of living pressure on Tasmanian households.
"This Budget will deliver record investment in cost-of-living relief and support Tasmania's most vulnerable people, while at the same time helping to develop stronger communities.
"This Budget will include more than 100 different concessions available to those who need help meeting the cost of living pressures, as well as continue the Government's commitment to immediate measures including our half price bus and ferry fares, our energy bill relief payments being delivered to every household in Tasmania, and our healthy school lunch program, which is being doubled, saving families up to $950 per year.
"Despite the relentless fearmongering campaign by the Opposition, I can also confirm that the 2024-25 Budget will deliver more funding for Tasmania's essential services than ever before.
"It will ensure that our largest ever recruitment blitz for health care workers will continue, employing hundreds more nurses, doctors, paramedics and GPs to cater for the increasing demand on our health system.
"Tasmania's frontline police numbers will be bolstered, so we can continue to keep Tasmanians safe.
"And, it will cement our efforts in attracting and retaining more teachers and early childhood educators to Tasmania, particularly in our hard-to-staff regional communities."
Meanwhile, Labor will celebrate their 10th anniversary of failing to deliver an alternative budget, and continue their reputation of being all whinge, and no solutions.
Tasmanians will go another year without knowing the truth about how the Labor Party would deliver on their $4 billion black hole of promises, without gutting essential services, or hiking up taxes.
The 2024-25 Budget will deliver on our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania's Future.
