Liberals stand firm on controversial policies

THE Hodgman Government has committed to taking several controversial policies back to voters amid opposition party claims its legislative agenda is in disarray.

Premier Will Hodgman says contentious policies on sentencing, TasWater and major projects will be part of the Liberal platform at the State Election in March.

The Legislative Council passed a watered-down version of the Government’s suspended sentences legislation yesterday.

But the controversial TasWater takeover was no certainty to become law when debate began soon after.

Further sentencing reforms are expected to be considered this week, while the Government has put its major projects draft Bill out again for consultation.

Premier Will Hodgman said the sentencing and TasWater policies would be taken to the electorate for a second time if they failed in the Upper House.

“Our commitment would remain to take these policies to the next election,” he said.

“We believe in them, we believe they would be in the best interests of our state.”

Mr Hodgman said he was hopeful consultation on the major projects laws, which would allow the Government to “call in” large development proposals, would be completed before the election.

He said concerns such as building heights were being addressed through the process.

Opposition spokesman Scott Bacon said Labor would not have supported the granting of “extraordinary powers” to a Government minister.

“It does appear that the government’s legislative agenda is in tatters,” Mr Bacon said.

“This is a Government that doesn’t do the work before they present the legislation.”

The Government suffered a setback to its legislative agenda when it was forced to abandon a proposal for an earlier school starting age in August.

Meanwhile, the Legislative Council adjourned its debate on the TasWater takeover legislation until this morning after discussion last night.