Peter Gutwein,Premier
**Check against delivery**
Mr Speaker,
It has been a privilege and an honour to serve as Tasmania's 46th Premier for just over two years, and I would like to thank Tasmanians for working with me and my Government through what has been a challenging period as we have dealt with a worldwide pandemic.
It is not over yet, but we are in a good place and our reopening plan is progressing well. I want to expressly thank and acknowledge the support and hard work of my colleagues who have stood steadfast with me, as we worked together to deliver our plan to secure Tasmania's future.
I also want to thank, in the most generous of terms, the hardworking, dedicated and talented public servants who have over the past two years gone above and beyond in their efforts to keep our State safe and to assist those Tasmanians who needed support during these most challenging times.
Where we are today - Recent economic and jobs performance
Mr Speaker,
Right now there is a quiet confidence in Tasmania.
Our State is one of the safest places on the planet and our economy is strong.
We went into the pandemic from a position of strength, and we have worked hard to maintain this.
As a result of our vaccination rates – which by any measure are among the highest in the world - and the milder variant of omicron, our hospitalisation rate is far lower than other states, and significantly lower than anticipated.
We have welcomed Tasmanians home and visitors back, and as we transition to living with COVID, Tasmania is in an advantageous position, viewed globally as unique and safe with world leading environmental credentials and a strong, prosperous economy.
In its January State of the States Report, CommSec ranked our economy as the best performing in Australia – for the eighth quarter in a row.
Employment is at near-record levels, with 259,100 Tasmanians in work, and our unemployment rate at 3.8 per cent is the lowest it has ever been in our history.
We have jobs looking people, with growth in job vacancies 72.6 per cent higher than before the pandemic.
Our building and construction sector is running hot, with an extensive pipeline of work in front of it.
And we have an abundance of opportunities in front of us.
For a long time, Tasmanian Premiers have had to work very hard to convince investors to consider investing here. But not anymore.
Today, as governments and corporations around the world seek renewable energy solutions and announce net-zero plans by 2050, we can already generate 100% of our energy from renewables and have a target to double that, and in terms of net zero we have achieved that aim in six out of the last seven years.
Unlike this place, others struggle to define who they are and what they might offer in a post pandemic world, we don't, and consequently now nationally and internationally, people and businesses, are focussed on Tasmania and Tasmanian ideas.
My Government is an aspirational Government, and our gaze is not just to the horizon but well beyond.
Over the next 10 years we will invest to harness the significant opportunities we have available, to attract investment, create jobs and opportunity, and improve the lives of all Tasmanians and secure our State's future.
Mr Speaker,
The 2021-22 Revised Estimates Report released last month confirmed that Tasmania's economic and financial position remains strong and is strengthening as we emerge from the impact of COVID-19.
Reflecting this strength in the economy, state final demand has been revised upwards from 3¾ per cent to 5¼ per cent this year, and forecasts continued economic and employment growth over the next four years.
As a result of better economic and financial outcomes, the Net Operating Balance has improved by nearly half a billion dollars over the Budget and Forward Estimates period, and the Budget remains on track for a return to surplus next year.
The improved Budget outcome is due to strong growth in revenue because of higher-than-expected activity across the broader economy.
Mr Speaker,
My Government continues to invest in next-generation infrastructure for Tasmanians, which builds better communities, provides better services, opens up more opportunities and creates more jobs.
Infrastructure investment for the six months to 31 December 2021 is $321 million, more than $81 million greater than the same period last year.
Importantly, infrastructure investment has been revised upwards by $72.5 million to over $900 million this year.
Mr Speaker
These outcomes are the result of the hard work of Tasmanians doing the right thing, getting vaccinated, supporting our local businesses, and in turn, local businesses backing Tasmania.
As a Government, we've provided unprecedented levels of community and business support, and we delivered two social and economic support packages, of more than $1.3 billion, including Home Builder, First Home Builders Grants and our social housing record build.
And since the beginning of the pandemic, we have provided $160 million in support to businesses, to keep them going and importantly save jobs.
I want to especially thank small businesses for their efforts over the last two years. These businesses, many family owned, are the backbone of our economy and while we have provided significant support we know that in many cases they wore the brunt of the COVID pandemic.
As we go forward, we will not forget you and whilst many of the major plans I will announce today will underpin and support our economy and provide significant opportunities for the small business sector, should there be need in the future for additional support we will always have your back.
Mr Speaker,
A strong economy enables more investment into areas that make a difference to the lives of Tasmanians, such as health, housing, education and sports, and community infrastructure.
Governments need to plan beyond election cycles, they need to lift their eyes to the mid and long-term horizons, and today I want to speak both about where we are today, but also where we are headed and what the future holds.
The 2021-22 Budget included a record $10.7 billion investment into health over four years, which was $900 million more than the previous year, and around $4 billion more than the Labor-Green Government in 2013.
And while much of this funding has been targeted at immediate needs, such as reducing the elective surgery waitlist – which is already making a difference - opening more beds and employing more staff, we are also firmly focused on planning for the future.
That's why our plan forecasts investment of more than $1 billion over 10-years into critical health infrastructure, to ensure that generations of Tasmanians to come will be able to access care where and when they need it, regardless of where they live, while also helping to attract and retain staff in our major hospitals.
The budget currently includes over the next four years more than $525 Million investment into health infrastructure supporting the RHH Masterplan, the recently completed LGH Masterplan and the NW Masterplan currently underway, which informs our investment in modern health facilities improving patient amenity and increasing capacity.
In the north, our LGH Redevelopment masterplan, forecasts capital investment of $580 million, over 10 years, to deliver a new Mental Health Facility and a new tower on the current Northside site, providing additional health services capacity to meet future demand.
As well, my Government will also underpin the delivery of a new $120 million private Hospital within the LGH health precinct, to ensure that integrated patient care and specialist services are delivered in a seamless way.
In the South we are delivering an expansion of stage 2 of the RHH Redevelopment, which represents over $200 million in new facilities, including an additional 90 inpatient beds, a fit for purpose older persons unit, an expanded ICU, expanded Emergency Department and new Neurology/Stroke and Medical sub-specialties wards.
We have engaged with the Commonwealth Government to provide joint funding for the next step in the plan with works to commence on Stage 3 of the RHH Redevelopment before the end of this term of Government.
It is proposed that Stage 3 will deliver mental health services and specialised multidisciplinary sub-acute services at an estimated jointly funded total investment of $665 million.
In the North West, we are progressing a $100 million redevelopment of the North West Regional Hospital, which includes $40 million for the first stage of a new Mental Health precinct and $20 million for the refurbishment of the Spencer wing to provide additional wards.
Once this is completed in 2025, we will progress the second stage of the mental health precinct at a cost of $40 million, which we aim to be jointly funded between the State and the Commonwealth.
We have also expanded our investment in the Mersey Community Hospital with a further $20 million to provide a new kitchen and additional ward, providing more bed capacity. This takes the total upgrade at the Mersey to $55 million, the most significant in the hospital's history.
We are also investing $20 million to replace Hospital Equipment, $9 million in additional and replacement ambulances, and $5 million in equipment for rural hospitals, implementing strategic asset management across these important pieces of equipment.
Mr Speaker,
Another innovative service we have recently introduced is the new Police, Ambulance and Clinician Early Response (PACER) team, including mental health clinicians, police officers and paramedics who are dedicated to support those experiencing mental health distress in the community.
Since being launched in January as a two-year trial in the south, PACER has already seen positive results, with the majority of people receiving the support they need to remain in the community, instead of being taken to hospital.
We know that when people can be treated in the community, with the right supports they recover sooner.
However, the most important asset in our health system is our people, and since coming to Government in 2014, we have employed 1500 additional FTE health professionals.
I want to acknowledge the incredible efforts of our hard-working health staff, especially over the last two years, as they have been on the front line of our COVID response and importantly have worked tirelessly to help test, vaccinate and support our community through this difficult and challenging period.
Our plan centres on our patients and our staff, and we will continue to invest record funding to meet immediate needs, but importantly, my Government will continue to set longer-term goals, to build a better health system in every region of our State.
Mr Speaker,
As part of our plan to secure Tasmania's future, we are taking action to assist more Tasmanians into homes and to put downward pressure on rental prices.
That's why I announced we will establish a new statutory authority, Housing Tasmania, reporting directly to the Minister for State Development, Construction and Housing to increase housing supply, deliver more affordable homes and units, to deliver the stock of houses and the services required to cater for growing demand.
COVID has changed the housing landscape in ways never previously imagined. Who would have expected that after two years of a worldwide pandemic leading to lockdowns, lockouts and significant economic and social disruption that the median house price in Tasmania, and indeed Australia, would increase as significantly as it has.
I have consistently maintained that the only way to combat rising house prices and put downward pressure on home prices is to increase supply, which is why I am today announcing a massive 10-year $1.5 billion housing package to build on our existing initiatives and take even further action to address affordable housing.
Our existing $615 million program will deliver a total of 3500 new homes by 2026-27 and we are committed and determined to accelerate and build on this effort.
The new statutory authority 'Housing Tasmania' that I announced last week will have the capacity to borrow and invest, and when established will have a more than $2 billion balance sheet to underpin the increased delivery of new social and affordable homes.
Over the next decade, Housing Tasmania's Board will be tasked with building and acquiring, as well as partnering with the not for profit sector, to deliver an additional 6500 homes and units on top of our current target of 3500 homes by 2027 for a total of 10,000 new homes by 2032.
The expected new direct investment, in excess of our current plan, will be more than $1.1 billion.
Furthermore, as you would be aware, we are already delivering a wide range of measures, which are building more houses and making it easier for all Tasmanians to get into the market, but we will do more.
We know that the strong property market has made it difficult for some to access rentals and rising property values have further impacted the cost of renting a home.
That's why last year we reset the land tax thresholds, which provided over $56 million in land tax relief for landlords and property owners, over four years.
But growing rental prices show that there is more we need to do.
That is why we will again reset land tax thresholds, doubling the tax-free threshold to $100,000, meaning no land tax will now be paid on land valued under $100,000.
We will also lift the upper tax threshold to $500,000 and lower the tax rate for land valued between $100,000 and $500,000 from 0.55 per cent to 0.45 per cent.
The changes mean around 70,000 Tasmanians will save on average approximately $800 every year, up to a maximum saving of $1625 - with close to 12,000 taxpayers no longer needing to pay any land tax at all.
When combined with the changes we made last year, it will provide about $220 million of tax relief for property owners over the next four years - to put downward pressure on rents.
One thing that will be a critical factor in increasing housing supply and improving affordability is the availability of land. While recent estimates indicate there is already around 5000 hectares of vacant land zoned for residential use, which could yield up to 60,000 residential lots, much of it remains undeveloped.
That's why we are continuing to incentivise landowners to activate this land. However, we recognise that there is more that we can do, this includes providing amendments that will allow the Tasmanian Planning Commission to consider more contemporary growth forecasts when rezoning land.
Rezoning proposals for residential development will be able to be considered on their merits without needing to wait for the full review of our regional land-use strategies to be completed and without compromising sound planning processes.
To further accelerate land supply, we will also extend our headworks holiday program, doubling the Residential Land Rebate from $15 million to $30 million.
Already more than 820 lots state-wide have been approved and another 127 are being assessed, and to keep the supply of land flowing, we are extending our funding commitment, while all other criteria for the program will remain the same.
Currently, there is a lack of centrally located medium-density infill housing occurring in our cities.
It is often easier to develop a greenfield site on the edges of our towns than develop an infill site within the centres.
This needs to be turned around if we are to encourage people to live and play near where they work.
I believe active Government intervention is required, to not only identify areas for infill development, but to make it happen.
As a first step, through the Hobart City Deal, we will prioritise this focus area and work with our City Deal partners to provide innovative solutions, including legislating if required so that we can open up the corridor sooner and build more homes.
Today to help Tasmanians take their first step onto the property ladder I am also pleased to advise that we will be extending the thresholds and expanding the eligibility for our successful Home Share program, which will now be called the 'Housing Market Entry Program' allowing more Tasmanians who meet our very reasonable income and assets tests access.
For example, if you have limited financial assets, are a couple with one child and earn a yearly income of less than $114,180, or are single earning less than $82,712, you meet the assets and income test for the program and if you currently rent a Housing Tasmania property you are automatically exempt from these tests.
However, with the recent movements in Tasmanian house prices, the Home Share parameters have become restrictive.
Many people are stretched paying higher rents and don't have the capacity to save for a 5% deposit, and so we are going to reduce the requirement for a deposit to 2% of the purchase price.
We will also double the State's equity contribution to a maximum of $200,000 or 40% of the purchase price for purchasers of new homes or units, and up to a maximum of $150,000 or 30% of the purchase price for eligible established homes or units.
We are also opening up access to eligible First Home Buyers, who would otherwise be unable to obtain finance to enable them with our help to purchase existing homes rather than have to build a home.
These generous limits will allow more Tasmanians to achieve their dream of buying their own home, and we will back this scheme with up to $50 million of new equity from our balance sheet, meaning that we can support more than 250 purchases of existing or new homes up to $500,000 in value, or more than 500 new or existing units depending on their value.
Since coming to Government our First Home Owners Grants have helped more than 3750 Tasmanians build their first homes, and I am pleased to confirm that we will extend the First Home Owners Grant of $30,000 for another 12 months from 1 July 2022.
The First Home Owners Grant will also be available to those who use our Housing Market Entry Program to build a new home.
The Government will also double the Private Rental Incentives Program, which encourages property owners to make their homes available for affordable rent to low-income households, with low or no support needs.
We will extend this Scheme from its current limit of 200 homes to 400 homes, creating another 200 affordable rental properties for the next two years.
The Tasmanian Government's ancillary dwelling grant program is progressing well with 161 houses allocated under the program.
To further stimulate this initiative, an additional $2.5 million will be invested making 250 more places available on top of the initial allocation of 250 and the program will be extended until the end of next year.
We need more housing options right in our cities near services and shops and in 2017 the Government amended the Building Regulations to make it easier to develop "shop top" apartments.
Following on from the success being seen in Launceston we will be encouraging the take-up of this form of housing in other jurisdictions, especially Hobart, and will engage directly with local councils to discuss what incentives we can jointly fund to accelerate this form of inner-city living opportunity.
Furthermore, we also believe there is an opportunity to better utilise Government owned buildings, and I have directed Treasury to review in the next six-months our own stock of buildings to see what we can do to re-purpose them for a higher and better use.
We are today also announcing that all Stamp Duty and First Home-Owner grants and concessions will be increased to a $600,000 threshold, which including the previous changes last year, results in a 50% increase keeping in line with rising property prices.
Our bold plan will assist more Tasmanians into their own homes and ensure they can take their first step onto the property ladder.
It will help to relieve rental stress through increasing the supply of properties, while at the same time underpinning our strong growing economy providing jobs and opportunity right here in the State.
Mr Speaker,
My Government has a strong commitment to education and a proud record of providing the resources, infrastructure and opportunities for Tasmanian learners to succeed.
From the early years to senior secondary education, skills, training and library services, access, participation and engagement in learning, is fundamental for all Tasmanians to develop the skills and confidence they need to reach their potential and participate fully in Tasmania's economy and society.
I am very pleased to confirm that all high schools have now extended to provide senior secondary options as of 2022, and that direct retention from year 10 to year 12 has jumped almost five percentage points since 2019, to 76.1 percent – the highest on record.
We know that further improvements in education outcomes are needed and we have committed to all Year 7 students exceeding the national minimum reading standard by 2030. The recruitment of an additional 40 Quality Teaching Coaches for 2022, is already supporting system-wide improvement to reach this goal.
Our record capital expenditure in education will provide the infrastructure and facilities our learners need and deserve, including six new Child and Family Learning Centres, new schools and more upgrades where they are needed.
In 2022, we have further increased support for students impacted by Trauma in addition to the funding of the Educational Adjustments model for students with a disability which has I am pleased to say since 2020, enabled an additional 2000 students to be funded.
As a result of COVID we needed to be flexible and early in the pandemic we had more than 80,000 public, independent and catholic students learning remotely from home.
This was an outstanding effort and one of the key learnings was the challenge the digital divide still presents and the need for the provision of laptops and ipads to many students and families for their use at home.
In the 21st century every child in a public school should have access to a device, and my Government will invest an additional $5 million to bolster the additional pool of devices to ensure that those families who are unable to provide this basic technology are supported so that no child is left behind.
Mr Speaker,
The Skills, Training and Workforce Growth portfolios were consolidated last year in recognition of their key shared focus on supporting Tasmanians into training and skills development, to equip them to fill local jobs and more fully participate in their local communities.
Importantly, my Government's focus on ensuring that all Tasmanians, no matter what their age, circumstances or where they live, will have opportunities to create a better life remains front and centre.
The passage of the TasTAFE Bill 2021 through the Parliament in November 2021, will put TasTAFE, as our public provider of Vocational Education and Training (VET), in a stronger position to meet the demands of the future and make sure every Tasmanian has the best opportunity to get the skills they need to get a job.
We said that we wanted TasTafe to be more nimble and more able to operate like the businesses it was there to serve and that is exactly what we will deliver.
Our ambitious multi-million dollar Workforce Growth agenda is being delivered by the new Jobs Tasmania unit in the Department of State Growth.
It is centred on the establishment of a Regional Jobs Hub Network comprising seven Jobs Hubs covering all areas of Tasmania.
While Jobs Tasmania is also delivering a range of programs to remove barriers and support Tasmanians to transition into training and work including: the Job Ready Fund; the Tasmanian Employer Bonus; Youth Navigators; and it is expanding the Area Connect Service so that more Tasmanians can get to work, training or education where no easy transport options exist.
Mr Speaker,
The Tasmanian economy is booming, and we want to make sure the opportunities it presents are accessible to everyone regardless of their gender.
In the 2021-22 budget, we committed nearly $3 million to programs that will recruit, retain and advance women into non-traditional occupations.
Further, over the past three years, our work to achieve gender equality has been guided by the Tasmanian Women's Strategy.
Under this Strategy, the Tasmanian Government has made important progress towards improving women's financial security; leadership and participation opportunities; health and wellbeing; and safety.
Very soon, we'll launch the next iteration of the Tasmanian Women's Strategy, which will build on our current work, with a renewed focus on achieving gender equality, with women's leadership at the forefront to ensure that more women are supported to be the leaders of tomorrow.
There is no doubt that an important part of creating future change is increasing the visibility of diverse female leaders and role models, and we will increase our efforts to support women to aspire to and participate in decision-making and leadership positions through the new strategy.
Mr Speaker,
If there has ever been a time to demonstrate the benefits when a state service collaborates, we need look no further than what we have achieved through COVID, and use that as the benchmark for an effective, high-performing and capable state service.
This is exactly why last week I announced that we will move the major functions pertaining to Children and Young People to the Department of Education, which, as the largest provider of services to children and young people in Tasmania, is best placed to become responsible for Children and Youth and Family Safety, and when the transition occurs will be renamed the Department of Education, Children and Young People.
Our children and youth interact with the Department of Education more than any other agency, and the Department is ideally placed to broaden its scope further to support the wellbeing and safety of children and young people.
This change will continue to ensure that we move from siloed government approaches, and lift capabilities across our systems, policies, processes and procedures to make them stronger, and continue to build a culture where children are at the centre of our processes and child safety is everybody's responsibility.
In September last year the Government announced its intention to close the Ashley Youth Detention Centre and establish two new facilities as part of a reform of the entire Youth Justice System.
The transition plan for this major reform is well underway, with the Project Team already delivering key activities in line with the project timelines.
Noetic Solutions is developing a detailed functional brief for the new facilities, which will determine the most appropriate settings for both a secure and therapeutic environment.
At the same time, a review of a range of crown-owned sites that may be broadly suitable for the new facilities is underway.
In coming months upon receipt of the Noetic Solutions functional brief, preferred sites will be identified, and planning and consultation processes will commence.
Education will be a key focus of these facilities and that is why the Education Department will have the overall responsibility for Children and Youth, and Family Safety.
While location and design will be finalised in coming months, I can foreshadow that the Budget this year will include an allocation of up to $40 million to ensure that work can commence immediately on building these centres to coincide with the closure of Ashley in 2024.
Mr Speaker,
One matter that has been much discussed in recent times is the future of the Burnie Court.
We recognise there are a wide range of views within the community in relation to the redevelopment of the Burnie Court Complex, however, what has become very evident is that there is an important need to revitalise the Burnie CBD, regardless of where the Court is situated.
Given these concerns, we will engage further with Burnie City Council and the North-West business community to understand the economic and social implications of the current CBD concerns, and importantly how best to ensure its revitalisation and how Burnie can best come to life.
I will be meeting with the Mayor, Council and the Business community in coming weeks to actively consider what more can be done and what investment is needed to revitalise the Burnie CBD, including the future use of the current court site.
Mr Speaker,
Last year, I asked the Commissioner of Police for advice as to structural reform across Government to ensure that we are providing a best-practice sexual violence response for Tasmania that puts victim-survivors at the centre.
Having received the Commissioner's advice, I am pleased to announce that the Government intends to establish next-level multi-disciplinary centres that will ensure victim survivors of both family and sexual violence receive immediate and integrated support in a safe place from a range of services, including family and sexual support and counselling, psychologists, witness intermediaries, police and other related services.
Funding will be included in this year's Budget for the establishment of the first of these centres, once an appropriate location is identified, and subject to a successful pilot I believe that these centres will be progressively developed in all regions of the State.
It is important to recognise the intersection of sexual violence with family violence. The multi-disciplinary centres will embed that understanding into Government responses, by extending the remit and resourcing of the Safe Families Coordination Unit to include sexual offending more broadly, including child sexual violence.
Planning work on both initiatives is commencing now, and will be coordinated alongside the development and release of the Government's third Family and Sexual Violence Action Plan.
Mr Speaker,
As I said, the Government I lead is aspirational and focused on delivering better outcomes for Tasmanians, today and into the future, harnessing our competitive advantages that set us apart from the rest of the world.
Whether that is delivering more irrigation water to Tasmanian farmers than ever before through our nation-leading irrigation schemes, maximising the potential opportunity for Tasmania from globally innovative offshore aquaculture, investing to diversify our forestry industry for a climate positive future, supporting our mining and minerals sector, advanced manufacturing and defence.
Our irrigation projects across the State are allowing farmers to expand the area planted to high-value crops, increase rotations, boost yields, and diversify into new enterprises, such as wine grapes, leafy-green vegetables and berries.
When delivered, the $370 million South East scheme will be the biggest irrigation project in Tasmania's history, expected to deliver more than 40 000 Megalitres annually, supporting a further $150 million in on-farm investment, with the potential to create more than 2000 local jobs.
My Government is working with the Australian Government to progress the development of a Business Case for an estimated $300 million Southern Midlands Irrigation scheme, which will deliver a similar economic benefit to the heart of Tasmania.
In Tasmania, we have the greatest opportunity for the paddock to plate experiences, which are sought after by locals and visitors alike.
This includes wild deer, which will be considered as part of the deer management plan review that will occur 12 months after the commencement of the plan.
Following this review and informed by its outcomes, it is the Government's intention to conduct a limited fixed-term trial to evaluate the potential for deer farmers and landholders to supply value-added wild deer products for the regulated food or restaurant trade, in consultation with Tasmanian Game Council and other key stakeholders.
Mr Speaker,
Thanks to a century of hard work, invention, and sacrifice we have more renewable electricity than we use. We've been net zero six of the last seven years, and we have a goal to double our capacity, to reach 200% renewable, by 2040.
Our world-class water and wind resources, natural deepwater ports, and our skilled and knowledgeable renewable energy workforce have positioned Tasmania among the best globally in the race to develop renewable energy.
Our plan is backed in by our 200 per cent Tasmanian Renewable Energy Target and our Tasmanian Renewable Hydrogen Action Plan, and we are witnessing unprecedented levels of interest in new renewable energy projects in the State from multiple proponents.
Tasmania is on track to be a global leader in green hydrogen production by 2030, and we are expecting a decision shortly on our Commonwealth funding application to establish a Green Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay.
Bell Bay presents as a perfect location for a nation-leading green hydrogen hub with its advanced manufacturing zone, renewable energy availability, appropriate infrastructure, water availability and port access.
We've always said that our plans for Bell Bay as a green hydrogen hub is bolstered by the proposed Marinus Link interconnector and Hydro Tasmania's Battery of the Nation project.
The Australian Energy Market Operator's 2022 Draft Integrated System Plan, has Marinus Link and the Tasmanian clean energy it unlocks front and centre of this unprecedented transformation of the energy market.
Critical underwater engineering surveys for Marinus Link are currently underway across Bass Strait as technical processes to sensitively design and build this national priority infrastructure continue at-pace.
With growing demand for renewable energy both on-island and off, we need more capacity to store and transport energy to ensure Tasmania earns a premium for its renewable energy product and accelerate our economic prosperity.
Further interconnection such as the Marinus Link unlocks these opportunities, and we continue to work closely with the Commonwealth Government to deliver this national priority project.
We will shortly be releasing our Renewable Energy Coordination Framework to support the strategic growth of renewables in our State through best-practice consultation and engagement.
Mr Speaker,
Hand in hand with the opportunities for new renewable energy generation, Tasmania can lead the way in the deployment of new technologies to meet our target of net zero emissions by 2030.
We have made up to $12.3 million available for the trial of hydrogen buses and the investigation of opportunities to use green hydrogen for trucking and marine vessels.
Work with Metro Tasmania has already begun on the integration of hydrogen buses into their fleet, and the development of refuelling infrastructure and hydrogen supply chains.
I can also announce today that in the upcoming Tasmanian Budget the Government will invest $10 million over four years to replace our ageing fleet of fossil fuel boilers in schools, hospitals and correctional facilities with renewable energy-powered alternatives including bioenergy technology.
By taking ambitious action on climate change we can also improve environmental, social and health outcomes for future generations.
Mr Speaker,
Our tourism industry, while having experienced challenges throughout the pandemic, is well positioned to take advantage of Tasmania's reputation as a climate leader.
As Premier and Treasurer, and the Minister for Tourism and the Minister for Climate Change, it gives me a unique vantage point, and opportunities for a unified strategy.
Tying our spirit of hard work and boutique enterprise to our current and future climate position, is not only meaningful, it's an engine of growth. And importantly, we can invite our visitors to be a part of it.
Last year, our tourism community announced Tasmania will become a carbon-neutral destination by 2025 and undertook a body of work to underpin this position in the market.
With this work nearing completion, it demonstrates a clear pathway to take advantage of Tasmania's unique position, while generating a positive impact across our community.
Climate positive travel can not only reduce our emissions, but it can contribute to projects to increase biodiversity through on-island carbon offsets, reduce emissions in our transport fleet and support a circular economy.
Through our nation-leading emissions performance, delivering one of the best outcomes in the world, we will look to maximise the benefits available for our industry sectors and the businesses and the jobs they support, by ensuring that we capitalise fully on our competitive advantages.
Furthermore, we remain on track for the game-changing arrival of our two new Spirit vessels.
Construction on the new Spirit 4 has commenced and the project remains on track for the delivery of the first ship by late 2023 with the second vessel, Spirit 5, to arrive during 2024.
These two new ships will be a significant boost for our tourism businesses, large and small, as well as our broader economy bringing increased passengers in increased comfort to underpin our visitor economy, along with increased freight capacity assisting our high-value, time sensitive exports to get access directly to the mainland markets which are so desirous of the fantastic fresh produce that we are world renowned for.
Mr Speaker,
Elitelevel sport not only provides content for Tasmanians to enjoy, it provides pathways for men, women and children to aspire to, and supports the wider effort of our clubs in bringing people together and strengthening our community.
It promotes healthy, active and united communities and serves as a key investment into reducing longer term health costs and pressures on our health system.
And there's no denying elite level sport also brings enormous economic benefits, business development and job opportunities, and will diversify and strengthen our visitor economy.
Never before has there been an opportunity greater then now to challenge ourselves with "what if", instead of 'what is'.
It's reflected in our pursuit to position Tasmania to be represented in national sporting codes – whether that's NBL, BBL, AFL, Hockey, A-League Football or Netball.
Time and again, Tasmania has proven its ability to host elite sporting content, and to put on a show worth coming to.
In 2021, Tasmania successfully hosted a record 14 AFL matches, including two Elimination Finals, and the first 20 matches of the 2021 Women's Big Bash League.
Hobart's Blundstone Arena recently played host to the very successful Fifth Ashes Test.
The Jack Jumpers are in the NBL and the Perth Glory A-League team has just played four games at UTAS Stadium and the Western United team will play three games later in the season as well.
And later this year, Hobart will play host to nine ICC Men's T20 World Cup matches, further highlighting our State's ability to hold major sporting events.
All these games are broadcast nationally and some worldwide, once again showcasing Tasmania on the national and international stages.
We remain focussed on securing our AFL and AFLW licence later this year, and it is very pleasing that we have four-time Premiership-winning master coach Alistair Clarkson assisting us with our bid.
Alistair is working through the matters raised in the Carter Report ahead of a final position being put to the AFL Commission and Club Presidents for a decision on a Tasmanian AFL team.
We will continue working closely with the AFL ahead of the decision on our own AFL team, including important strategies to grow the base of community football as well.
This has been an incredible 30-year pursuit for our own AFL license, and I have never been more confident that Tasmania will ultimately be successful.
Mr Speaker,
Now more than ever it is important to plan for the future.
To be ambitious and set the longer-term goals that underpin our aims, but also demonstrate to the rest of the country that we are on a pathway to where young Tasmanian men and women can aspire to be the best right here in their own state.
At the last election we outlined a commitment to establish Stadiums Tasmania, to position Tasmania and its sporting infrastructure to be able to be represented in national sporting codes, and to ensure the sound future management of Tasmania's major public stadium assets and infrastructure.
Today I can announce that we will task Stadiums Tasmania to work with the Central Coast Council and continue to invest in further development of the Dial Regional Sports Complex to support the community and the aspirations of young people in the North-West.
The complex has been designed to AFL specifications and when we have secured our own men's and women's AFL and A-League teams and our own VFL teams I want games to be played on the North-West coast as well.
We will work with the Council to facilitate the inclusion of the Dial Regional Complex in the future structure of Stadiums Tasmania and today we are committing $25 million to enhance spectator and participant infrastructure.
Our plans for UTAS Stadium, once the transfer of the ownership from the Launceston City Council to Stadiums Tasmania occurs, and subject to the Australian Government matching the $65 million that is allocated in our Budget, are to progress the $135 million first stage of the $200 million master plan.
Stage one, subject to funding will be developed over the next three to five years and will increase the capacity of ground, while also providing retractable seating to enable A-league, AFL and other events to be held, future proofing the stadium for decades to come. Stage two will provide an indoor arena capable of holding basketball, netball and other sports and entertainment events.
Currently Blundstone Arena and UTAS Stadium meet the needs for major sporting events, but in the medium to long term we need to have a bolder vision and subject to achieving an AFL license and the highly likely prospect of an A-League one as well along with a growing population we will need a stadium that can meet Tasmania's needs for decades to come.
The Government has recently undertaken preliminary feasibility work to understand what opportunities there are to develop a major entertainment, sporting and event stadium with a capacity of up to 27,000 seats as well as up to 30,000 for a major concert or event including standing space, within easy commuting distance of the Hobart CBD and connected to a variety of transport modes.
A new southern stadium was first proposed by the AFL Taskforce in 2019 as a not immediate, but necessary part of our AFL license bid, and forms a key part of our long-term vision for sporting and entertainment infrastructure across Tasmania.
It builds on the Government's significant investments into and plans for existing major facilities such as MyState Bank Arena and UTAS Stadium in Launceston as well as Dial Park at Penguin.
A southern stadium supports the aspirations for Tasmania securing its own AFL team which would be based in Hobart and will also be able to host rectangular sporting codes that will support ongoing discussions about an A-League Football team.
The stadium will put Tasmania on the national and international stage for both sporting and entertainment events on a scale that hasn't been possible in the past.
Today I am pleased to announce that subject to stakeholder consultation and planning approval, and achieving later this year an AFL license, we plan to develop this new stadium at Regatta Point.
This part of the city holds great significance for Tasmanian soldiers that have served their country, and the Government will work closely with the RSL on how such a stadium could enhance the Cenotaph area and invite people to remember and celebrate our servicemen and women, year-round.
The area is also important for the Royal Hobart Regatta, which is one of Australia's oldest continuous aquatic events, and the Government will work with the Regatta Association to incorporate their needs into the development and explore opportunities that could shore up the longevity of the event into the future.
Our goal is to develop a multi-purpose stadium that takes the best of today's stadia design standards and trends, has a flexible design that allows for future evolution of the facilities and infrastructure.
The stadium will include a retractable roof for all weather playing and performances, making it one of only two such AFL venues in the country.
Blundstone Arena would remain the home of Cricket with all forms, including Tests being played there with the option for the larger Stadium to be used when capacity becomes an issue.
The new stadium, which will form a key part of the 10-year strategic stadium plan that Stadiums Tasmania will be tasked to develop, will cost in the order of $750 million and we will seek to fund this through funding from all levels of Government, as well as private sector involvement and equity raising, drawing on numerous examples and lessons of how this works very successfully in other parts of the world.
Subject to achieving an AFL licence later this year and the timing of that being made available it is envisaged there would be approximately a two-year timeframe for planning, approvals and contracting and a further three years for construction, meaning that the new Stadium could be ready for the 2027 season.
The Regatta Point site is ideally located given its proximity to the city and to future passenger transport links, such as the Northern Suburbs Transit Corridor and ferries on the river and will create a spectacular and iconic entry to the city.
Mr Speaker,
My Government is an aspirational Government and this Stadium will be a game changer for Tasmania.
The economic opportunities that this will bring to the State with the hosting of National and International events are enormous.
It will set us up to have teams in National competitions at the highest level and enable us to host national and international sport, arts and cultural events and concerts.
It will be an important part of the State's sporting and entertainment evolution, growing and supporting Tasmania's visitor economy and inspiring infrastructure and transport systems to support industry, business and community growth filling the city and the State with accommodation, hospitality and retail activity.
In Tasmania, we value and protect our environment - and we are getting on with our clear plan to reduce waste and build our circular economy.
We are making significant progress on a number of key initiatives including the introduction of a Container Refund Scheme, a consistent state-wide waste levy, and phasing out single use and problem plastics in Tasmania by 2025.
We are also building confidence in our waste and resource recovery sectors, investing in plastics reprocessing, reuse of waste tyres and commercial composting, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution in our environment.
We have also taken important steps to progress the structural and organisational separation of the Environment Protection Authority from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, creating a new independent State Authority. The new model will ensure public confidence in environmental regulation in Tasmania and promote certainty for proponents.
Mr Speaker,
Late last year I committed to providing an update following the release of the Pathway to Truth-telling and Treaty report.
After receiving the report I wrote to Tasmanian Aboriginal organisations seeking their feedback on the Report's recommendations and what the next steps on our journey towards true reconciliation should look like.
I can advise the House that while there were a variety of views, the feedback received to date indicates broad support to take further steps on both a Truth-telling process and Treaty process.
However, the feedback was very clear to me that these processes must be led by Tasmanian Aboriginal people and they must co-design this work.
Therefore, as a result of this feedback, the next step needs to be to establish an Aboriginal Advisory body that is representative of the Tasmanian Aboriginal people and can, through co-design, work with the Government to establish these two processes.
This advisory body representing Tasmanian Aboriginals will also provide advice on the other recommendations in the report and on matters that affect Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
This will not be an easy task and it will require goodwill from all sides to take these matters forward.
My Government is up for it, we want to take the next steps on this path but the path has to be one that is co-designed with The Tasmanian Aboriginal people.
However, one matter that the Government is firm in its view on is that the Truth telling Commission when established will not be tasked with determining Aboriginality or eligibility.
Whilst I understand that this is a vexed issue for some, the Government remains committed to its current, inclusive Eligibility Policy.
The next steps will involve inviting representatives of all registered Aboriginal community organisations to come together to provide advice on the establishment of the Aboriginal Advisory body, its membership and terms of reference and how it will be accountable to Aboriginal people in Tasmania.
I intend to issue the invitations shortly and hold this meeting as soon as possible, as the Government wants to move forward and I know that Tasmanian Aboriginals do as well however there must be Aboriginal leadership and ownership of the decisions that affect Aboriginal people.
As we take these next steps, we know that already there have been increased costs as Aboriginal people have engaged in the process to date and the Government will in the coming budget provide an allocation of up to $500,000 to offset costs as this process progresses.
To support this new Aboriginal Advisory body the Government will establish an Aboriginal Affairs whole of Government Division within DPAC, comprising of the Office of Aboriginal Affairs and Aboriginal Heritage Tasmania, as well as staff from other Departments such as Health and Education.
This new Division will be tasked to oversee and coordinate the Government's significant Aboriginal Affairs agenda, informed by the views of Aboriginal people, which includes the Truth-Telling and Treaty processes, as well as Closing the Gap, a new Aboriginal Heritage Act and finalising the Model for Returning Land.
This is a journey we need to go on together, and that we must go on together, to ensure a more equitable and just future for generations to come.
Mr Speaker,
My Government wants, today and into the future, to create opportunities for Tasmanians regardless of their background or circumstance.
For Tasmanians to have pride and confidence in our State, understanding that it is a unique and special place to grow up and live, with opportunities you can only find in a handful of places in the world.
We have a strong pipeline of work ahead of us, which is delivering better outcomes for every region in Tasmania – in housing, education and health, renewable energy, tourism and hospitality, and across our primary industries, resources, and advanced manufacturing sectors.
But it does not stop there. It can't.
Because right now we are in the best position to grasp the opportunities ahead.
As I have said we must not just focus on the horizon we must lift our eyes beyond that and that, Mr Speaker, is exactly what this Government intends to do to secure Tasmania's future.
