First 100 Days

A majority liberal government will:

  • Get to work immediately to implement our Plan to Secure Tasmania’s Future.
  • Set out a clear timeframe for new legislation.
  • Begin planning for new investments into health, education, infrastructure and community facilities.
  • Get straight back on with the job of delivering for Tasmanians.

First 100 days implementation plan

This election is about who can deliver the strong, stable majority Government needed to Secure Tasmania’s Future.

COVID-19 is not over yet and many Tasmanians are still doing it tough.

Our economy is growing again and remains the number one economy in Australia for the fifth quarter running.

This is a strong vindication of our economic management during COVID-19, and our Plan to Secure Tasmania’s Future.

Job numbers are not only back to pre-pandemic levels, but there are 6100 more full-time jobs since March last year.

A total 26,800 jobs have been created since the Majority Liberal Government was elected in 2014.

The Liberal team have been decisive and held firm during the COVID crisis and together with Tasmanians, we have helped our State become one of the safest places in the world.

But now, more than ever, we need a strong, stable majority Government to keep our State powering ahead.

Minority Government leads to lower confidence, less investment and job losses.

We know there is more to do and if re-elected, the Majority Liberal Government will get straight back on the job to deliver for Tasmanians.

First week (following return of the writs)

  • Swearing in of a new Liberal Cabinet and first meeting of Cabinet.
  • Handover Liberal Policy Plan for Securing Tasmania’s Future to Agency Heads and establish clear KPIs for the delivery of commitments.
  • Commence work on the 2021-2022 State Budget, including the Budget timetable.
  • Release a new sitting schedule for the resumption of Parliament, and schedule a new legislative agenda to give effect to –
    • The new Foreign Investor Land Tax surcharge.
    • Land tax threshold changes to better reflect the property market and provide immediate land tax relief.
    • Increasing the conveyance duty concession (stamp duty) threshold from $400,000 to $500,000 for Tasmanians buying their first home and pensioners downsizing, backdated to 16 March 2021.
    • Boosting the First Home Owner Grant from $20,000 to $30,000 from 31 March 2021.
  • Meet with each major private hospital, as well as the community nursing and home-care sector, to discuss the provision of services to take pressure of the public hospital system and work to put arrangements in place by 30 June 2021.
  • Immediately enter into an agreement to extend direct underwritten flights between Hobart and King Island and Flinders Island to March 2022, providing thousands more visitors to the Islands

First 30 days (following return of the writs)

  • Facilitate the provision of a no interest loan to Incat for $100 million to construct a 120-metre high-speed vessel, securing 500 jobs, with a commitment for a further 120-150 jobs and 60 more apprenticeships.
  • Work with Energy Retailers to coordinate the provision of the $125 COVID Recovery Winter Energy Supplement for eligible concession card households.
  • Convene the new Health Staff Recruitment Taskforce with professional organisations, including ANMF, AMA and UTAS, to look at how to improve recruitment across our health system.
  • Deliver an MOU between the Government, TT-Line and the Tasmanian Maritime Network to deliver up to $100 million in local supply to Tasmanian businesses in delivering two new replacement ships under this multi-million-dollar contract.
  • Commence negotiations on a Strategic Partnership with the Royal Flying Doctor Service for a long-term contract up to 10 years to take effect from July 2022, in line with the signed MOU.
  • Work with TasPorts on the $240 million investment into the Port of Devonport, delivering increased capacity for freight, and catering for increased passengers with Tasmania’s new ships, with the first arriving in 2023.
  • Establish the guidelines and parameters for the Job Ready Fund of $2 million to help job seekers gain essential tools they need to get a job, including White Card licensing, boots, protective clothing or tools.
  • Start recruitment of additional health staff needed for our elective surgery blitz.
  • Commence work with the Volunteer Ambulance Officers Association of Tasmania on a Memorandum of Understanding to work together on attraction, retention, training and support for ambulance volunteers.
  • Finalise with Calvary Health Care a MOU to remove any outstanding impediments to the $120 million co-located private hospital adjacent to the LGH.
  • Begin work with UTAS on a partnership plan for investment into a joint Agricultural Precinct in Launceston and a satellite hub in Hobart, to upgrade and deliver state-of-the-art research facilities.
  • Commence planning and consultation, including with Latrobe Council, for the expanded redevelopment at the Mersey Community Hospital, including a new kitchen, new ward and more bed capacity.
  • Implement the necessary changes to allow quarterly payment of vehicle registrations bills and task the Department of State Growth with providing advice on allowing more frequent payments.
  • Commence the environmental approval process with which to undertake immediate and targeted site-specific dredging program of the Tamar River to enable better use of the river.
  • Task Treasury with developing arrangements to allow a land tax payment instalment regime of three annual instalments for land tax bills over $500.
  • Draft necessary legislative amendments in respect of the First Home Owner Grants, stamp duty concessions and land tax.
  • Commence Expressions of Interest process for Literacy Advisory Panel.
  • Develop a new funding agreement to meet our commitment to Dark Lab towards the installation cost of the Transformer Project at the Ida Bay site.
  • Deliver funding to King Island for their new community car and establish the parameters for the new $500,000 Community Car and Coach Fund for access for local communities.
  • Sign MOUs with Master Builders Tasmania, Civil Contractors Federation and Housing Industry Association and convene the first roundtable to address barriers to creating a “High Vis” army to boost jobs in the industry by 25 per cent.
  • Launch the next round of the highly successful Skill Up program which enables Tasmanians to quickly upskill, reskill or gain new skills, ready to centre into employment or change careers.
  • Start work on the development of the new $2 million Small Business Incubator and Accelerator Pilot program, to encourage entrepreneurs to grow their small business ventures.
  • Begin planning for all TasTAFE capital works including $12 million for trade spaces and new accommodation in the north-west, $10 million in the north for campus upgrades and new student accommodation in the south.
  • Develop an implementation plan to deliver TasTAFE's $10 million online campus. The new campus aligns with mainland TAFEs who are advanced in their virtual delivery and provides extra access points for Tasmanian students wherever they live.
  • Start work with Libraries Tasmania to identify priority locations to offer access to TAFE training and develop the first stage of an implementation plan for upgrades at those rural and regional sites.
  • Boost the NILS Energy Saver Loan and Subsidy Scheme with additional funding.
  • Develop a funding agreement with the West x North-West Regional Tourism Organisation to provide $275,000 for the compilation of a regional Experience Gap Analysis report.
  • Initiate discussions with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities regarding initiatives to further embed the Aboriginal Child Placement Principle for Aboriginal children in out of home care.
  • Commence development of a Small Business Enterprise Loans program for new enterprises within migrant and multicultural communities.
  • Finalise and deliver our new Carers Action Plan 2021-2024.
  • Implement the new program for additional students who require intensive trauma support in our schools.
  • Determine timelines for delivery of Community Facilities Fund commitments, across all regions of the State.
  • Commence negotiations with the organisers of Tasmania’s major iconic events, new multi-year agreements to secure their future.
  • Commence establishment of the new Jobs Tasmania unit in the Department of State Growth.
  • Commence consultations with the Tasmanian Small Business Council and regional chambers of commerce on the delivery model for the $1.2 million Small Business Financial Counselling and Advice Support Program.
  • Commence negotiations with the Northern Tasmanian Netball Association for a partnership to develop a future dedicated netball hub in Northern Tasmania.

First 100 days (following return of the writs)

  • Opening of the 50th Parliament, with the Governor’s Address.
  • Seek advice within 60 days from Treasury on the introduction of the Foreign Investor Land Tax Surcharge, and capping future land tax increases.
  • Table legislation to implement announced changes to land tax thresholds and payment arrangements, increasing stamp duty concession thresholds and boosting the First Home Owners Grant to $30,000.
  • Begin targeted review of Tasmania’s Emergency Management Act 2006 to modernise key parts of the legislation to incorporate lessons learned during COVID, releasing the draft terms of reference for public comment and consultation.
  • Release draft legislation to introduce a State-based political donations disclosure scheme for public consultation.
  • Commence discussions with our new Jobs Hubs regional communities – Burnie, Brighton, Huonville and St Helens, with locally-empowered steering committees to deliver the best location and model for delivering Local Jobs for Local People.
  • Implement a $50 million program providing interest free loans of up to $1 million to tourism operators to recover and improve their product offerings post COVID-19.
  • Launch the Tasmanian Employer Bonus, to incentivise employers to take on a long-term unemployed job seeker with $6.5 million over two years.
  • Increase the Building Projects Support Program by $10 million to get stalled and shovel-ready projects off the ground, following closure of the first round on 14 May 2021.
  • Commence the establishment of a new $3 million Agricultural Development Fund supporting agricultural research, development and extension in Tasmanian agriculture.
  • Finalise negotiations with the Australian Government to secure up to $65 million in funding and an underwriting agreement for the $700 million redevelopment of the Tarraleah Power Station, which would deliver up to 250 construction jobs.
  • Establish a multi-use list of preferred technology services providers to replace the retired ICT Professional Services Panel.
  • Facilitate provision of a secured $600,000 interest-free loan for three years for the PFG Group to build an ultra-durable High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) prototype vessel for the defence sector for domestic and international markets.
  • Begin implementation of $15 million ‘Headworks Holiday’ for new residential subdivisions to unlock new land supply.
  • Re-introduce Workplace Protection laws, given the mandate from the 2014, 2018 and 2021 State elections, to protect Tasmanians’ right to work.
  • Commence formal discussions for the establishment of Stadiums Tasmania Trust with the City of Launceston (for UTAS Stadium) and the Clarence City Council (for Blundstone Arena) and redevelopments of over $200 million for stadium facilities.
  • Work to secure matched Australian Government funding for our new $2.6 million Rural Business Resilience Package to support farmers.
  • Complete agreement with the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council to continue promotion and development of the Seafood Trails Tasmania website.
  • Provide an additional $100,000 to the Tasmanian Hydrogen technology cluster initiative led by the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone.
  • Develop a MOU between the Tasmanian Government, University of Tasmania and HENSOLDT, to form our ‘Team Tasmania’ partnership and progress space research and development in the State.
  • Extend our co-funded Exploration Drilling Grants Initiative to 2025 and establish a grant deed for $2 million to a refreshed Geoscience Initiative, to be further supported by up to $3 million share of the Australian Government’s $125 million Exploring for the Future program.
  • Commence work on the re-establishment of the $30 million Tasmanian Energy Efficiency Loan Scheme.
  • Initiate discussions with Tasmanian Aboriginal communities on the development of Aboriginal cultural fisheries.
  • Commence the establishment of $2 million Primary Producer Safety Rebate Scheme to provide cash-back rebates for farmers that implement safety measures that help reduce work-related injuries and deaths in farming.
  • Commence development of a Diversity Action Plan to increase the gender and cultural diversity of the resources sector, in partnership with the Tasmanian Mineral and Energy Council.
  • Commence work on the establishment of the new $1.5 million Jobs Tasmania Partnership Fund, for partnerships between the State Government and the non-government sector, to support our Local People into Local Jobs agenda.
  • Commence recruitment process for an Emerging Marine Industries Officer to progress development of potentially valuable emerging industries.
  • Facilitate levy relief for the Shellfish Market Access Program, subsidising approximately 50 per cent of the total cost for oyster growers.
  • Launch the new $8 million Events Support and Attraction Fund to secure existing events and festivals and attract new events.
  • Launch the first round of Regional Hospitality Revival Fund grants to support hospitality businesses to attract Tasmanians and interstate visitors into our regions.
  • Provide $2 million to the Don River Railway to progress the expansion and enhancement of its rail precinct and rail experience product.
  • Develop a funding agreement to provide $1.25 million to the Wooden Boat Centre for the expansion and enhancement of its tourism product and training capacity.
  • Begin the process for recruiting three additional biosecurity officers dedicated to Tasmania’s livestock sector, and making the King and Flinders Island biosecurity officers full-time and permanent.
  • Establish a $10 million program over five years, to support the forestry industry with more on-island processing and value-adding.
  • Develop a funding agreement to provide $1.25 million to the Port Arthur Historic Site Management Authority for the establishment of a Convict Heritage Hub at the Penitentiary Chapel.
  • Establish a grant deed for $1.15 million with the Tasmanian Timber Promotions Board to value-add and sell Tasmanian timber products across the world – driving supply chain demand.
  • Launch the Tender Incentive Program to assist Tasmanian businesses prepare and submit tenders for highly competitive defence contracts.
  • Launch the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants Program which will foster innovation and greater efficiencies in the manufacturing sector.
  • Progress study into the economic and social value of recreational hunting and sporting shooting to Tasmania.
  • Launch Tasmania’s participation in the national Industry Capability Network (ICN) which will assist government and businesses identify Australian producers and suppliers of equipment and services to help open up new markets to Tasmanian businesses.
  • Commence the development of an integrated strategy to grow export opportunities in New Zealand.
  • Establish the guidelines for the new $200,000 small grants program to support artists returning to the ‘gig’ economy.
  • Develop new funding agreement with Business Events Tasmania to augment its Business Events Attraction Fund by $300,000 per year for four years.
  • Extend existing arrangements with palawa Enterprises to provide $150,000 each year for three years to support the wukalina Walk.
  • Establish a grant deed for $150,000 with Arbre Forest Industries to address the skills shortage and train the forestry industry leaders of tomorrow.
  • Deliver on the new $1 million Live Performance Reactivation Program to support the delivery of new larger scale professional live performance productions in Tasmania and assist our artists, theatre venues and producers to get back up and running in a COVID-19 environment.
  • Meet with TasRacing to determine the $3 million allocation for infrastructure upgrades at Longford, Brighton and Devonport.
  • Continuing working with Sustainable Timber Tasmania to ensure long-term resource security for small sawmills across the State.
  • Start consultation on the women in building and construction strategy.
  • Commence the partnership with the Property Council on Girls In Property pilot.
  • Establish a grant deed for $300,000 with the Tasmanian Forest and Forest Products Network to deliver a Diversity Action Plan project to increase the gender and cultural diversity of the forestry sector.
  • Work with the Flinders Island Council on developing new veterinarian facilities and equipment to help attract a veterinarian to the Island.
  • Launch the Supporting Women to Succeed in Industry Grant Program to fund projects and activities which increase women’s participation in non-traditional fields of employment.
  • Develop a funding agreement with Meander Valley Council to provide $250,000 per year for two years to enhance and improve walking trail experiences in the area.
  • Commence discussions with TFGA on a new Wildlife Impact Action Plan.
  • Progress development of a new East Coast Stock Rebuilding Zone Strategy for rock lobster.
  • Commence the review of rules to allow catch sharing on the water between fishers.

Health, mental health and wellbeing

  • Develop a plan for the delivery of the first year of an additional 22,300 elective surgeries and endoscopies State-wide – with an extra 8300 surgeries in 2021-22.
  • Begin planning and consultation for the construction of the next stages of the $580 million redevelopment of the LGH, with a full staged plan to be made public this year.
  • Commence work on the updated Master Plan for the North-West Regional Hospital, and local health facilities.
  • Begin the planning for the $60 million North-West Regional Hospital redevelopment, including the first stage of a new Mental Health Precinct to replace the ageing Spencer Clinic, for completion in 2025.
  • Meet with the Huon Valley Council to discuss plans for the upgrade of the Dover Medical Centre.
  • Begin the planning for the installation and recruitment of staff for the second linear accelerator at the North-West Cancer Centre, for operations to commence in 2022.
  • Work with Palliative Care Tasmania and private hospitals and service providers to kickstart $17 million in new investment into better in-home and better palliative care services.
  • Commence the detailed design work on the $200 million Stage II redevelopment of the RHH, including new wards, an expanded ICU and expanded Emergency Department.
  • Establish the guidelines for the $1 million Hospital Avoidance Co-Investment fund to match private sector investment in supporting capital upgrades for GP, pharmacies and primary health providers who will extend facilities to provide more after-hours care.
  • Release an implementation plan for Rethink 2020, Tasmania’s new overarching mental health plan.
  • Launch first round of the new community defibrillator program.
  • Appoint the new Mental Health Peer Workforce Coordinator.
  • Increase access to Medical Cannabis, including authorising Tasmanian General Practitioners to prescribe medical cannabis products, and allowing more pharmacies across the State to dispense these products.
  • Begin the recruitment of a locally-based mental health specialist for the Circular Head region.
  • Commence community consultation, including local councils and stakeholders, on the $3.5 million Oatlands Midlands Multi-Purpose Centre and $30 million Stage II Kingston Health Centre redevelopments.
  • Open applications for service providers to access the $3 million After Hours Support program, to help primary health services like pharmacies and local GPs to provide after hours services for their local communities.
  • Commence the move to enable pharmacist immuniser access to the National Immunisation Program for the first time in Tasmania, to allow local pharmacists to support the health needs of Tasmanians.

Infrastructure, roads and transport

  • Develop the business case to take to the Australian Government for a co-investment of $320 million to make a second Tamar River Bridge a reality.
  • Commence the preparation of detailed costings and concept designs to support a full and open public consultation n the proposed location and alignment of a second Tamar River Bridge.
  • Begin the detailed planning and design work for the $115 million in joint State-Federal funding for the –
    • $55 million four-lane upgrade for the South Arm highway (between Pass Road and Oakdowns).
    • $60 million Algona interchange and Kingston bypass duplication.
  • Begin the development of 10-year Strategic Action Plans for each of our major highways, building on the success of our $565 million 10-year Midland Highway Action Plan.
  • Begin the planning with Metro Tasmania and the Department of State Growth to deliver a modern common ticketing solution that will apply to all General Access public transport, including Derwent ferry services, including fare payment by credit card, phone or wearable smart devices.
  • Commence planning on the introduction of additional school and commuter buses on high demand routes.
  • Seek advice from TasPorts on potential port upgrades that will support the development of a Hydrogen Hub at Bell Bay.
  • Work with the Flinders Island Council on priority sections of the upgrade to Palana Road, with our investment of $2 million.
  • Work with the Dorset council on our commitment to provide $650,000 for the proposed Victoria Street redevelopment, including major underground infrastructure works.
  • Launch a second Electric Vehicle ChargeSmart Grants program, providing $600,000 for electric vehicle fast and destination charging stations in regional Tasmania and at key tourism destinations.
  • Seek advice from the Department of State Growth on potential locations for three new park and ride facilities, and commence the development of a program to upgrade bus stops at priority locations.

Education, Skills and Training

  • Release stakeholder-informed Implementation Plan for new not-for-profit Government business model for TasTAFE, to enable more flexibility and choice for learners, more training in our regions, and planning for 100 additional teachers.
  • Advertise for the first tranche of additional school health nurses.
  • Conduct an Expression of Interest process for the first 15 schools to take part in the first year of our Extended School Lunch Pilot, with priority given to lower socio-economic areas, so school lunches can be provided at these schools from Term One, 2022.
  • Advertise for first tranche of speech pathologists, psychologists and social workers to deliver on the commitment of availability in every child and family learning centre.
  • Commence planning for the reintroduction of TasTAFE jockey apprentice training and mandatory training packages linked to licences.
  • Commence planning for works to be commenced in 2021-22 under the Supporting Safer Schools bathroom upgrades program and classroom blitz.
  • Identify the first tranche of schools for our Renewable Energy program.

Housing

  • Work with relevant Agencies to give effect to the $2.5 million Ancillary Dwelling Grants Program, which provides $10,000 for the first 250 landowners who construct a new secondary dwelling and make it available for long-term rental for at least two years.
  • Begin the work with the Royal Agricultural Society of Tasmania (RAST) to deliver early works and planning for the revitalisation of the Showgrounds, with infrastructure (ready for 450 new homes) to be completed by late 2022.
  • Continue construction of the 552 social and affordable homes now under contract, and finalise contracts for a further 764 more homes.
  • Commence consultation with key stakeholders and broad scoping for the comprehensive Tasmanian Housing Strategy.
  • Begin consultation with the under 16 homeless working group regarding implementation of new initiatives including the Lighthouse Project.

Police, Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Services

  • Plan the staged recruitment of 50 additional police officers to further build police numbers over the next five years.
  • Establish emergency service liaison roles to work with local communities on recruitment and retention of firefighter and SES volunteers.
  • Begin consultation on the development of a contemporary new Fire Service Act.
  • Remove police officers from court duties in the North-West and introduce transitional arrangements.
  • Start the recruitment for 48 additional paramedics over the next two years for both urban and regional locations.
  • Consult with our emergency services on the best outcomes from an additional $1.5 million per annum investment into their health and wellbeing.
  • Begin scoping the operational model for the $5.1 million Emergency Mental Health Co-Response Team to assist police and paramedics in mental health emergency call-outs, through an inter-Agency Mental Health Co-Response Reference Group.
  • Commence recruitment of new therapeutic staff at the Tasmania Prison Service to provide drug and alcohol intervention and program delivery.
  • Start work with local government on the guidelines for a $4 million grants fund to install CCTV in regional towns.
  • Begin the work to draft legislation for mandatory disease testing for deliberate blood and body fluid exposures against frontline workers.
  • Scope the procurement for the $9 million investment into the Ambulance Tasmania fleet, with contemporary vehicles and replacement of critical equipment to support our paramedics.

Parks, Environment and climate

  • Consult with all members of the Tamar Estuary Management Taskforce (TEMT) to determine the most appropriate enduring governance model for the future and ongoing management of the Tamar River.
  • Develop the grant deed with West Coast Council for the $600,000 second stage for the Horsetail Falls Track on Tasmania’s west coast.
  • Contract works to improve the standard of Spion Kop Road at Forest, and enable access to Black River and the facilities at the riverside.
  • Release the Cockle Creek camping grounds redevelopment plan.
  • Expand the scope of the Landcare Action Grants Program to include carbon farming initiatives in addition to practical on-the-ground works for sustainable agriculture and river care activities.
  • Commence the creation of a new $250,000 Carbon Farming Advice Rebate Pilot Program that provides a rebate of up to $10,000 on any carbon farming advice sought to enter the market.

Community Development, Sport and Recreation

  • Deliver certainty for the Stanley Discover Museum to enable the purchase of the Church and Hall, and its renovation.
  • Begin working with Football Tasmania and its clubs on the $10 million upgrade to football facilities at key locations, in preparation for hosting international base camps in 2023.
  • Establish the first round of the new $2 million grant fund for new and upgraded recreational sea fishing facilities and amenities.
  • Provide free angling licences for junior inland angers for the start of the season in August.
  • Meet with Ministerial Disability Consultative Group to discuss the establishment of Tasmania’s first Disability Commissioner.
  • Deliver Tasmania’s first Food Security Strategy.
  • Commence development of our new Active Ageing Strategy, working alongside COTA.
  • Start development of expanded guidelines for the Tasmanian Men’s Shed Association Grants Program to include mental health and wellbeing initiatives.
  • Meet with whole of government LGBTIQ+ and Reference Group to commence development of new Framework and Action Plan.
  • Double the Ticket to Play vouchers to $200, and advise sporting clubs and associations of the extended program.
  • Work with the Neighbourhood Houses Network to scope the new Family and Community Support worker pilot.
  • Launch the guidelines for the Solar Power Sports Club no-interest loan scheme and date of commencement.
  • Announce opening date for applications for the 2021-22 Improving the Playing Field Grants Program, with a doubling of the funding for that year.
  • Develop a Grant Deed to provide $40,000 per annum to Bowls Tasmania to ensure Tasmania has its own team in the Bowls Premier league.
  • Work with Volunteering Tasmania on a new Youth Volunteer Army for Tasmania, convening a meeting including relevant agencies.
  • Update the funding agreement with Neighbourhood Houses Tasmania to include the new $400,000 boost.
  • Commence consultation to inform the development of Tasmania’s first Carers Recognition legislation.
  • Work with Glenhaven on the planning and design of the new purpose-built Kentish House.