The new Treasurer has confirmed that he has taken no actions to repair the budget, despite record deficits and debt up to our eyeballs.

In fact, the only thing Treasurer Barnett confirmed he will do is walk away from respected economist, Saul Eslake’s report into Tasmania’s finances.

For all his faults, at least the failed former Treasurer Michael Ferguson told Estimates that the Government would provide a response to Saul Eslake’s report prior to the next budget. I’ve been waiting with bated breath to hear what the Liberal minority government is going to do about their budget disaster.

During question time, Treasurer Barnett made it clear that Ferguson’s commitment has been scrapped and he won’t be providing a response before the next budget in May.

How do Andrew Jenner and the lost Lambies' members feel? Were they aware the Liberal minority government intends to completely ignore the report they helped commission?

There’s no magic solution for the financial situation we’re in. But Labor has acknowledged that there is a problem, and we have put forward a ten-point plan for budget repair that will take the first steps towards fixing their mess.  

After ten years, the Liberals are out of ideas and can't be trusted with the state's finances. 

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer