Tasmanian Labor has accused the state government of wasting tens of millions of dollars on consultants while staring down cuts to jobs and services in next month’s state budget.
The treasurer has rejected the criticism and turned the focus back on Labor’s own record in office.
Shadow treasurer Dean Winter said the Liberals had repeatedly blown their consultancy budgets since coming to power 13 years ago.
Winter said the government budgeted $25.5 million for consultants in 2023-24 but spent $65.2 million.
He said the previous year the government spent $56.5 million against a $27.3 million budget and the year before that exceeded its budget by $22.6 million.
“The Liberals have blown their budgets on consultants, now Eric Abetz is cutting jobs and services to pay for it,” Winter said.
Winter pointed to recent contracts, including $117,000 for public relations advice at TT-Line and $115,479 for a communications consultant at Hydro Tasmania.
He also cited $99,900 for “strategic advisory services” at State Growth, $65,095 for a communications consultant at Treasury and $72,616 for leadership coaching at the Department of Premier and Cabinet.
Treasurer Eric Abetz rejected the criticism and said Labor had not been upfront about its own plans to fix the budget.
“Labor’s shadow treasurer has again refused to tell Tasmanians which taxes it will increase,” Abetz said.
Abetz said the state government had “ruled out new tax increases” in next month’s budget.
“The government monitors expenditure closely, ensuring it delivers the services and infrastructure Tasmanians need and deserve,” he said.
“Ironically, when Labor was last in government in their own right, they blew their consultant budget time and time again.”
He said Labor had spent $37 million on consultants in 2010-11 – $16 million over budget – and $39 million the year before, more than double its $15 million allocation.
Abetz said Labor spent $42 million on consultants in 2008-09, $19 million above budget.
The 2026-27 state budget is due in May.
