Tasmania’s political opposition has criticised the state government’s latest budget, warning thousands of public sector jobs will be cut as the government works to contain a deepening financial crisis.
Labor shadow treasurer Dean Winter said the budget confirmed about 2,800 public servants would lose their jobs under Treasurer Eric Abetz’s cost-cutting plan.
“Jeremy Rockliff has wrecked Tasmania’s budget, our finances and he’s put Eric Abetz in charge of fixing it and Tasmanians know what that means. Cuts,” he said.
He blamed 11 years of Liberal government for taking the state from no net debt to more than $10 billion.
Winter acknowledged Thursday’s budget was an “interim” measure, with deeper cuts expected in next year’s full budget.
He said Labor would support supply and would not move another no-confidence motion, as it did with the previous budget.
Greens leader Rosalie Woodruff said the budget was ushering in an “era of stadium austerity”.
“Jeremy Rockliff and Eric Abetz have their priorities terribly wrong,” she said.
“They are doggedly pursuing the stadium and delivering another budget that will cause more hardship for people already struggling.”
She called on parliament to reject the project.
Independent MP Kristie Johnston said the budget was a “holding” measure ahead of a full budget expected in May 2026.
“The message for now is brace yourself for cuts to services, public service jobs and pay pain and community service cutbacks,” she said.
Johnston also criticised the lack of sacrifice, noting there was “no rolling back on generous corporate welfare or asking the private sector to share the pain”.
Independent MP David O’Byrne said “the real work” will take place between now and the next budget.
“Given the grave state of the budget it’s frustrating to see some silly spending initiatives, such as allocating $2 million over two years to Treasury to progress fiscal performance measures – effectively spending money to identify ways to save money,” he said.
“Surely better and more strategic expenditure of money is the job of every department and every public sector leader.”
