Too many Tasmanians are being left behind, fundamental services including health and housing continue to lurch further into crisis and the state is headed for huge debt under the Gutwein Liberal Government's economic management.
Shadow Treasurer Shane Broad said as Premier and Treasurer Peter Gutwein delivered his CEDA state of the state address in Hobart today, he was selectively ignoring that fact that on his watch, Tasmanians were going backward.
"The true measure of a successful economy should be in how many people's lives have been improved, not how many people remain disadvantaged," Dr Broad said.
"The fact is too many people are going backwards and the Premier has his priorities wrong, failing too many Tasmanians.
"Under Mr Gutwein's management, inequality continues to grow, access to basic services is becoming worse and worse, the rising cost of living is beyond most family's reach and key industries are facing risk into the future.
"The Liberals are accumulating record debt for Tasmania, borrowing $2 million day for the next four years.
"Rents are out of control, increasing by about $6,000 a year since the Liberals took power in 2014 and power bills are the highest in the country.
"The Liberals have created a housing crisis with a record waiting list of almost 4,500 families who will wait on average almost 73 weeks for a home.
"Tasmania's health system continues to fail at a critical time with more than 10,770 people waiting for necessary surgery, more than 56,000 waiting to see a specialist and more than 18,000 waiting for dental work.
"Key industries for Tasmania's future are at risk, with Sustainable Timber Tasmania failing to meet its legislated sawlog quota for the timber industry, salmon protesters buying up billboards denigrating Tasmanian produce and renewable energy opportunities going nowhere because of the fundamental incompetence of Ministers like Guy Barnett.
"And broken commitments continue to be a hallmark of this government, characterised by its failure to deliver $471 million worth of promised infrastructure in just the last year, leaving roads filled with potholes.
"Mr Gutwein may continue to talk up his government's so-called track record, but the fact is he is simply failing tens of thousands of Tasmanians."
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Treasurer
