Tasmanian business leaders are calling for an end to political “horse-trading”, warning the state’s economy can’t afford weeks of uncertainty following Saturday’s election.
Michael Bailey, CEO of the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, says it is time for parliament to “get back to work” after yet another hung result.
“This has been a huge distraction for Tasmanian business, for investment, and it’s time that we see the parliament back working again,” Bailey said.
He said many businesses were “holding their breath”, waiting to see how the new parliament will shape up.
Bailey said the result showed that around 70% of Tasmanians voted for key industries like salmon farming, forestry, mining and the Macquarie Point stadium by backing either Labor or Liberal candidates.
“Tasmanians know that for us to have a future that’s viable for our state, we need our industries to be backed,” he said.
“We need people to have jobs. And we need money to be flowing through our communities.”
On the Hobart stadium, Bailey said the election outcome effectively served as a referendum.
“Both Labor and Liberal were very clear about their policy on the stadium through the election. Tasmanians have voted. We’d expect parliament to respect that and to just get on with the job,” he said.
“To see the returns right across the state is astounding. To see the growth in Liberal vote in places like Braddon and Bass, which we didn’t expect, is really interesting when, again, we thought the stadium would be more of an issue.”
“Clearly, it’s not. Clearly, again, the majority of Tasmanians want it.”
Bailey said the business community now expects the new government to deliver a stable, full four-year term without more political drama.
