MPs take note of 2022 action plan

TASMANIA’S major party leaders say they are considering recommendations from the Mercury’s 2022 vision for the state as the election draws closer.

Premier Will Hodgman and Opposition leader Rebecca White were both presented with the Tassie 2022 action plan, following the newspaper’s two week deep-dive into issues affecting the state.

From the Tassie 2022 cam- paign, 10 items were identified to be part of the action plan, including fixing Hobart’s rental crisis, planning for population growth, fixing Drysdale and TasTAFE, and addressing transport issues.

Readers were surveyed between mid December and early this month.

Premier Hodgman said the Mercury’s 2022 campaign had helped draw out the issues of greatest priority to Tasmania.

“Pleasingly, we are already acting in a number of key is- sues, including by improving education outcomes by extending high schools to year 12, and our record investment into visitor economy infrastructure announced [yesterday],” Mr Hodgman said.

“We are looking very closely at Tasmania 2022’s other recommendations as we finalise our plan to take Tasmania to the next level.”

Ms White said the work was valuable for policymakers, and highlighted many issues Labor has been focusing on, includ- ing addressing inequality and fixing TasTAFE.

“Labor is proud that our priorities match those put on the table by Mercury readers but there have also been new ideas for us to take on board as the election approaches,” Ms White said.

“Labor’s preparedness to be bold does not end with our policy on poker machines. We know Tasmanians want a government willing to tackle big issues and the intergenerational challenges our state faces.”