QUICK FACTS
- Tasmanian Trade 2022-23 was worth $5.9 billion per annum
- Annual Tasmanian goods exports were $4.418 billion at December 2023
- Manufacturing accounts for 64 per cent of Tasmanian exports, employing 20,676 Tasmanians directly and about 30,000 indirectly
- The award-winning Tasmanian distilled spirits industry is worth more than
$420 million and employs more than 450 Tasmanians- The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector is worth $183 million and employs 1,000 Tasmanians
Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will:
- Create a Tasmanian Inbound Visitation Program – showcasing Tasmania to the world.
- Grow our advanced manufacturing industry.
- Invest in new marketing opportunities for our premium spirit production.
- Unlock our Antarctic Gateway.
An important part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future is ensuring Tasmania is the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Tasmania’s Inbound Visitation Program - delivering the Tasmanian story to the world from our own backyard
The Liberal Government has delivered a very successful run of overseas and interstate trade missions. At the same time, we have been working hard with our businesses to help them tell their stories to buyers and customers, to showcase not just the quality of Tasmanian produce, but to stand out from the crowd in the global marketplace.
Inbound trade missions will be a new way of showcasing Tasmania to buyers, investors, customers, diplomats, influencers, executives and journalists, and nothing shows our produce and authenticity better than providing an unforgettable experience in our own State.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will deliver Tasmania’s first official Inbound Visitation Program with a targeted initial investment of $600,000 over two years.
The Program will offer a coordinated, well-resourced, premium state-wide program that offers consistent and targeted experiences to potential international trade and investment partners, key influencers, and journalists across sectors and through diplomatic channels.
It will add to our suite of trade strategies to continue to grow and diversify our State, create jobs and economic growth.
A new Tasmanian Trade and Investment Mission Plan 2024-2027 – taking Tasmanian goods and services to the world
The Liberal Government released Tasmania's first Trade Strategy in 2019 to boost our state’s trade in both the domestic and international markets. The Strategy has supported the state’s trade position to grow over 20 per cent during the pandemic period to $6.1 billion. We have been building trade in key sectors, showcasing Tasmania in priority markets, supporting trade logistics and market access and building export capabilities of Tasmanian businesses.
Our Annual Trade Action Plans help ensure we are agile and can quickly respond to changing market conditions and emerging local or global issues.
As part of the Strategy, the Liberal Government delivered a two-year Trade and Investment Mission Plan targeting key international trade and investment markets. This plan is working and has already yielded a return on investment of more than $26 million in commercial outcomes and inbound investment.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will allocate an additional $1 million to continue to work with key market sectors and leverage sector specific opportunities to benefit all Tasmanian businesses.
Building on this success, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will develop a new Trade and Investment Mission Plan 2024 – 2027.
This will provide Tasmanian businesses with certainty and strategic direction for key growth trading markets to support growth and diversification and assist businesses in their planning to enter or re-engage international markets.
Selling our fruit to the world
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will create new market opportunities for fruit growers by funding an industry trade officer and investing in an online produce guide to promote farm gate businesses and reach local and tourist customers. We will also commit a further $600,000 to Fruit Growers Tasmania to expand its trade presence.
Fruit production generates an estimated farm gate income of some $400 million annually, making it one of the state’s larger agri-food sectors.
Fruit production is a growing industry and an important part of the Government’s goal to reach $10 billion in farmgate production by 2050. While our fruit industry is a success story, new markets will support it to grow even further.
The investment in a trade officer to work with Fruit Growers Tasmania will identify opportunities for export growth and complete a trade development plan to support the three key sectors of cherries, apples and berries.
In addition, a re-elected Liberal Government will further support fruit producers by transforming the annual paper-based Tasmanian Seasonal Produce Guide into an interactive digital resource to guide locals and visitors to eat, drink and shop their way around Tasmania’s producers, farm gate markets and restaurants, connecting producers with more customers and increasing product awareness and availability.
Growing our Wine Sector
The Tasmanian wine sector has built an enviable position over many decades, with a clear and unwavering focus on driving demand, quality and value ahead of growth in production. As a result, the sector is in the top 10 of all sectors contributing to the state’s economy, attracting some of the highest value in the country, a global reputation which belies its current scale, and continuing strong growth.
Driving demand for increased Tasmanian wine availability and protecting brand and price differentials synonymous with Tasmanian wine will be a focus of a re-elected majority Liberal Government.
As the Tasmanian wine sector continues its accelerated growth a re-elected majority Liberal Government will support the sector to drive demand, expand markets and communicate Tasmania's unique position to the world.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will provide $1.5 million over three years for export market development activities and domestic market promotion. These include annual visits to Tasmania by key international wine trade and media, in-market promotional events, and support for wine businesses to become export ready and participate in targeted export promotion and expanded regional wine tourism offerings to attract more high-yield cellar door visitors.
The world wants our premium spirits
Tasmania punches well above its weight when it comes to premium spirit production with award-winning whisky, gin and vodka.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will invest $190,000 per year over two years to enable the employment of an Industry Development Officer and administrative support by the Tasmanian Whisky and Spirits Association.
This will enable our world class distilleries to gain more global exposure and help identify and capitalise on new market opportunities.
Stepping up support for our growers and exporters
We are stepping up our support for our agricultural community by supercharging the highly successful Strategic Industry Partnership Program (SIPP). We will provide more resources and flexibility to support development opportunities for our agriculture industry to strengthen trade ties.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will provide increased funding for those working to support our farmers through a supercharged $3 million SIPP.
It will include an additional $500,000 on top of the existing $500,000 allocated for SIPP in 2024-25 with an extra $1 million per year over the following two years.
The SIPP will provide targeted grants on a co-investment basis to agricultural organisations in recognition of the critical role they play in supporting agri-food industry sectors and individual producers and agribusinesses. It will also promote collaboration and capacity building in the sector.
Growing our advanced manufacturing industry
The manufacturing industry generates more than $2 billion for the Tasmanian economy, with a turnover of $8.3 billion and directly employing 20,676 Tasmanians.
Manufacturing accounts for over 64 per cent of all Tasmania’s exports and is growing rapidly in Tasmania, using smarter innovations and approaches to deliver to the world’s rapidly evolving markets.
These advances in research and development have significant impacts in other sectors and play a critical role in the economic performance of our regions, which underpin the stability and growth of our state economy.
The Program has stimulated businesses to invest in new equipment leading to more jobs, increased trade and greater economic benefits for regional Tasmania.
Building on the success of previous rounds, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will provide $1 million for the Advanced Manufacturing Accelerating Growth Grants program to assist Tasmanian manufacturers to become more competitive, resilient and able to scale up to better compete in global markets.
Eligible grant recipients would receive between $10,000 and $100,000 depending on the size of the project and based on a matched contribution.
To maintain and grow this crucial sector, a re-elected majority Liberal Government will also release a new Advanced Manufacturing Plan in 2024.
This will also support industries endeavours under the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Skills Compact and Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Development Plan.
The Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council (TMEC)
TMEC as the peak industry body represents and supports businesses involved in the state’s exploration, mining and mineral processing, manufacturing and energy sectors, along with companies and individuals in associated supply chains. TMEC plays a critical role in supporting businesses and the sector to grow, invent and reinvent sustainably, producing high-quality, world-leading, niche products.
To support TMEC to operating the Tasmanian Manufacturing Centre of Excellence and maintain skills development programs for the sector a re-elected majority Liberal Government will provide $80,000 until the next Tasmanian Advanced Manufacturing Action Plan is released.
Unlocking our Antarctic Gateway
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will continue developing our world-leading Antarctic Gateway to grow jobs, maritime services, trade and investment, science and research, and visitor opportunities.
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector offers substantial economic, employment, social and research opportunities for Tasmania. The sector is worth $183 million to the Tasmanian economy and employs 1,000 people in Tasmania. The sector has grown 32.3 per cent in economic value since 2019-20.
Tasmania has a proud heritage of supporting Antarctic and Southern Ocean endeavour with explorers and scientists using the port of Hobart as a base for expeditions since the 19th century.
Tasmania is home to a substantial number of significant Antarctic and Southern Ocean science and research organisations, which form the heart of the sector and are at the core of its success.
A re-elected majority Liberal Government will support the advancement of our Antarctic sector by:
- Continuing to deliver keystone wharf infrastructure—to support the Australian Antarctic Division, develop and advance the Antarctic Gateway through increased visitation, and attract International Antarctic Programs to operate through Tasmania.
- Increasing air traffic destined for the Antarctic – through the upgrade of the Hobart International Airport.
- Commit to deliver Tasmania’s first Antarctic Gateway campaign – to build the brand and promote the Gateway to increase visitor attraction and build trade and investment opportunities with countries aligned to the Antarctic Treaty.
Net Cost: $3.6 million