Leaders bid for hearts & minds

Hodgman points to economy as White runs on fairness

PREMIER Will Hodgman and Opposition Leader Rebecca White have locked horns in the first Leaders’ Debate ahead of next year’s State Election.

No clear victor emerged from the hour-long encounter during which Mr Hodgman touted his record and promised better days ahead while Ms White talked out her passion for community, education and reducing the cost of the living.

The Property Council debate at Hobart’s Wrest Point casino heard Labor would run on a platform of a fairer, smarter, healthier state, which traded on its natural strengths in sectors like agriculture and tourism.

“I believe a fairness agenda is also a good economic agenda,” Ms White said.

“A fairness agenda is about making sure that people can access essential services, like health, education and housing and get a secure job.

“If people are well and have employment, then the economy does well too.”

Mr Hodgman pointed to his Government’s record in improving employment and growth and delivering a state budget surplus — and made a strong pitch for another term and for majority government.

“This is not as good as it gets, not by a stretch,” Mr Hodgman said.

“I believe there’s a lot more work to be done and a lot to be optimistic about.”

The leaders were quizzed on their policies about population growth, education, jobs, planning, council amalgamations, the GST, and the proposed Hobart City Deal.

Ms White said she did not believe that Hobart would get such a deal, which would aim to provide a strong funding framework and vision for the state’s capital, because they had, to date, only been awarded in marginal seats.

Mr Hodgman said he was confident he could work with his federal counterparts to ensure the deal went ahead.

Neither indicated at any stage that they would pursue compulsory council amalgamations.

Discussion of the Government’s plan to take over TasWater drew out the most passion in a relatively subdued debate.

Ms White questioned the timelines, Mr Hodgman stuck by the Government’s plan

“Our number one priority is fixing the problem, not talking about it or arguing about it ... if it might ruffle a few feathers on the way through — then so be it,” he said.

And Ms White also criticised deep cuts to public-sector numbers, which have since bounced back.

“They are not a reformist Government, they handed out $32 million in redundancies, they cut too deep,” she said.

Mr Hodgman said an improving financial outlook meant more workers could be hired for frontline positions.

Both leaders ruled out doing a deal with the Greens if they were unable to secure a majority in their own right.

In her concluding remarks, Ms White spoke of her passion for Tasmania and its people.

“My government will be one that surrounds itself with the smartest people, the kindest people, the best people to make sure we have people at the coalface to make sure that decisions are based on evidence and based on the best brains to make sure that nobody is left behind,” she said.

“I see a future for our state that is built upon our competitive advantages, our primary industries, renewable energy, tourism, but also that other really important thing — our people, our communities, out connected networks of human capital that has so much unrealised potential.”

Mr Hodgman said the job of his Government was not done and said voters did not know what they would get with Labor.

“We have a strong commitment, a strong team, a strong plan that is all about taking Tasmania to the next level,” he said.

“Our plan is fundamentally about more job opportunities and more economic growth for Tasmanians, a better business environment, and a budget that is under control so that we can invest in our schools and our hospitals and keeping our communities safer.”

Greens leader Cassy O’Connor was not invited to the debate.