Tasmanian electricity consumers will get federal assistance to cushion the cost impact of Project Marinus, the federal budget reveals.
The budget, handed down on Tuesday evening, says the federal government will “provide support for network cost reductions to defray the increased costs borne by Tasmanian consumers due to Project Marinus”.
The papers list $361 million in Marinus Link funding for Tasmania, made up of $15 million in 2025-26 and $346 million in 2029-30.
The first stage of the undersea power cable to Victoria is expected to begin commercial operations around that time.
The papers do not detail how the consumer support will be delivered or who will receive it.
Independent Clark MP Andrew Wilkie said the item “clearly demands scrutiny”.
Tasmania will also receive $80 million in 2026-27 for public hospitals, part of a $221 million package shared with the ACT and Northern Territory.
The one-off payment is intended to prop up hospitals while the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority reviews how it prices services in smaller jurisdictions.
A further $57.5 million will be split between Tasmania and South Australia to back transformation projects at Nyrstar Hobart and Nyrstar Port Pirie.
The state-by-state breakdown has not been released.
GST payments to Tasmania are forecast to climb from $4.18 billion in 2026-27 to $4.73 billion by 2029-30.
Total federal payments to the state are tipped to rise from $6.28 billion in 2025-26 to $7.58 billion in 2029-30.
The budget commits $296 million over four years for urban renewal in Hobart and Launceston.
That includes $240 million to “help unlock the potential of the Macquarie Point precinct in Hobart” and $65 million for a stadium redevelopment in Launceston.
The Port of Hobart will get $188 million over four years to help redevelop Macquarie Wharf 6, providing a home berth for the Antarctic icebreaker RSV Nuyina.
CSIRO will receive $387.4 million over four years to support its financial sustainability.
Health spending includes $98 million for a Northern Heart Centre in Launceston and $6 million in 2025-26 for Hobart maternity services.
Another $5 million has been set aside for a new hospice at the Launceston General Hospital Precinct and $1.8 million over three years for the Jack Jumper Ants Allergy Program at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Roads funding includes $26.1 million in 2026-27 under Roads to Recovery, rising to $157.9 million across the forward estimates, plus $16.8 million in 2026-27 under the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program.
The East Derwent Highway will receive $4 million for Bowen Bridge to Bridgewater “improvements planning”.
The Launceston City Deal gets $4.1 million over two years, including money to “reduce pollution and improve the health of the Tamar River”.
Hydro Tasmania’s Tarraleah Hydro Power Station redevelopment will receive $23 million in 2025-26 as “a cornerstone project of the Battery of the Nation initiative”.
The federal government will also cover “certain employee costs” at the Liberty Bell Bay manganese smelter while it is in administration. The dollar figure has not been published.
Smaller measures include $5.9 million for tourist facilities at Freycinet, $9.7 million for conservation work at Port Arthur, Woolmers Estate and Brickendon Estate and $1.4 million for a permanent Tasmanian Holocaust Education and Interpretation Centre.
The Building Early Education Fund will deliver $25.5 million to Tasmania over four years, with a separate literacy support measure folded into government schools funding.
Tasmania will receive $8.5 million over two years to help implement reforms under Regional Forest Agreements and $0.8 million to redevelop Darcy Street Oval.
The state budget is due on May 21.
