Labor has denied accusations of pork-barrelling after community groups interpreted funding assessment letters as firm election promises, just days before Saturday’s state election.
Multiple organisations received letters from Labor leader Dean Winter stating they had been “assessed as suitable for funding” from a $10 million fund, leading to confusion about what was actually being offered.
The New Norfolk Golf Club told its members that Labor “has pledged funding to fully seal our driveway entrance and all car parking areas”, describing it as a “significant election commitment”.
The club specifically thanked Labor candidate Jen Butler and encouraged members to consider the funding when casting their votes.
Similarly, the Tasman Council thanked Labor for its “confirmed commitment” to support the proposed Taranna Fitness and Wellbeing Centre.
The council posted on social media that the “much-needed investment in our community’s health and wellbeing will provide lasting benefits for residents of all ages”.
However, Winter’s letter to the council, dated July 15, stated that any funding remained “subject to an assessment by the Department of State Growth”.
He also wrote that other political parties were offering “unconditional grants” and acknowledged Tasmania had $13 billion of debt.
“A Dean Winter Labor government will always ensure all taxpayer money is spent carefully, because it is the next generation of Tasmanians who will pay the price if we don’t live within our means,” he wrote.
“I look forward to working with you to deliver the Taranna Fitness and Wellbeing Centre, as we implement Labor’s plan for a fresh start for Tasmania.”
Winter rejected the accusations of pork-barrelling when questioned on Wednesday.
He described Labor’s approach as the “gold standard for assessing” that would land with State Growth.
“We’ll make sure that every single commitment like this goes through a proper process,” Winter said.
“The letter is very clear. It says that there’s a proper assessment process and they need to be qualified through that process.”
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said any similar Liberal commitments would be “well publicised” before Saturday’s election.
“For the Labor Party to make such a thing about banning pork barrelling and then in desperation write to many clubs around Tasmania saying … ‘we think this is for you’ smacks of hypocrisy and desperation,” he said.
