Tasmania’s new parliament will get to work tomorrow, with the Macquarie Point stadium and long-awaited pets-in-rentals legislation at the top of the agenda.
Treasurer Eric Abetz has promised a collaborative approach, saying the government will work with crossbench members after months of political uncertainty.
“As a government we are very cognisant of the fact that the Tasmanian people elected this diverse parliament,” he said.
“And if there is one thing I get, be it at an RSL club, at church or down the street in the supermarket, everybody wants this parliament to work.”
“They don’t want any more no-confidence motions and they want us to get on with the job.”
The stadium remains in the works, with a crucial Tasmanian Planning Commission report due on September 17.
Abetz described the project as an “iconic gateway to our city” and a “fundamental economic development proposal” supported by 25 of the 35 lower house members.
“We look forward to that [report] and see what the pathway forward is. We can’t predict what they’re going to say, what they’re going to suggest, but as a government we are committed to the stadium,” Abetz said.
The pets-in-rentals reform – a popular promise from the previous election – will also progress, alongside changes to the first home owners scheme and payroll tax relief for apprentices.
New MPs are also expected to deliver their first speeches from tomorrow, including Shooters, Fishers and Farmers MP Carlo Di Falco and independents Peter George and George Razay.
Liberal MPs Marcus Vermey and Bridget Archer, along with Labor’s Brian Mitchell and Jess Greene, will also make their maiden speeches.
“That, I think, will indicate to the Tasmanian people the wide variety and diversity of members that have been elected to this parliament,” Abetz said.
“I’m looking forward to their contributions to see what makes them tick and then working with them to ensure that this government, this parliament ticks to the very best of benefit to the Tasmanian people.”
