Both major parties have ramped up their campaigns across Tasmania in the final week before the May 3 election, with Labor focusing on renewable energy while the Liberals spotlight cost of living relief.
Labor candidates gathered at Launceston’s Trevallyn Dam today to talk on their renewable energy credentials, with the party warning that the Liberals’ nuclear energy plans would “jeopardise” emerging industries around new green energy.
Lyons Labor candidate Rebecca White said her Liberal opponent Susie Bower has been on the record supporting Peter Dutton’s nuclear pipeline, claiming such a plan “jeopardises investment in renewable energy jobs here in Tasmania”.
“We’ve heard from proposals from ABEL Energy in Bell Bay that they will put their proposed project on pause if Peter Dutton is elected,” she said
“This election is a choice for Tasmanians about whether we want to see continued investment in the things that we’re very proud of including renewable energy or Peter Dutton’s obsession with nuclear energy.
Meanwhile, the Liberals launched a branded B-Double tanker today to highlight their cost of living promises, which Senator Claire Chandler described as the election’s defining issue.
“Tasmanians are drowning in Labor’s cost of living pressures,” Senator Chandler said.
“Only the Liberals are offering immediate cost of living relief, with our pledge to halve the fuel tax, saving motorists 25 cents per litre, or around $14 every time you fill up.”
The Liberals’ plan also includes tax rebates of up to $1,200 for over 90 percent of Tasmanian taxpayers, alongside promises to boost agricultural funding through a 33 percent increase to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme and $150 million for irrigation infrastructure.
Labor countered the promise, saying Tasmanian households would face higher costs under the Liberals’ energy policy.
“Tasmanians are going to have to pay an average household $1,200 nuclear tax for the mainland nuclear plan … if Peter Dutton is elected as Prime Minister,” Labor’s Franklin candidate Julie Collins said.
