The TCCI is the voice of business in Tasmania and is backing the ambitious reform agenda outlined by Premier Rockliff today.

 

TCCI Chair, Wayne Davy, said the TCCI has long been calling for public sector reform and efficiency, examining asset sales and creating a sovereign wealth fund.

 

“Tasmania deserves nothing less than a Government with an ambitious reform agenda and that’s exactly what we saw today,” Mr Davy said.

 

“This is without doubt the most ambitious, reform-oriented State of the State speech in over twenty years and the TCCI supports what Premier Rockliff outlined today.

 

“It is absolutely essential that the Tasmanian Government makes sure we have a fit-for-purpose public sector.  We have seen the number of public servants increase by thirty per cent over the past eight years, which is completely unsustainable.  

 

“It’s also clear that we need to carefully look at the State-owned Companies and Government Business Enterprises and see whether or not they would deliver better services and better value for the Tasmanian people if they were run by the private sector.

 

“Finally, we know that politicians are always tempted to spend more than they have, which is why the State’s finances are in the position they are.  Locking up any windfalls into a sovereign wealth fund is the best way to ensure the proceeds are used to repair the budget first and foremost, pay down debt and offset interest on the State’s debt.

 

“The TCCI has been calling for the Government to consider all these initiatives for many years, including in our recently released ‘Tasmania Report – Vision 2028’, which provides a blueprint for our elected leaders to support business, grow the economy and create jobs.  It’s to the Government’s credit that they have listened.

 

“It’s also encouraging that the Government wants to ensure regulators support growth and investment rather than acting as a handbrake.  It’s important that this change happens as soon as possible, because it will help existing businesses and aspiring business-owners.

 

“The TCCI calls on the Labor Party and the crossbench to back in these reforms.  They are vital for Tasmania’s future.  I know it would be easy for the opposition to play politics with such an ambitious agenda, but we are at a critical point in time for the State and in the interests of Tasmania, business and industry and the community more broadly, the TCCI calls on the Parliament to work together to deliver these vital reforms and to hold the Government accountable for delivering these reforms.”