Short on policies with real solution
WHILE the state’s major parties have announced policies to address Tasmania’s greatest challenges ahead of Saturday’s election, a prominent political scientist warns they are unlikely to be long-term solutions.
The Liberals last week promised they would guarantee a minimum of 70 per cent of the state training budget to TasTAFE to rebuild the beleaguered institution.
Labor announced it would establish an independent review of publicly owned, heritage-listed buildings, such as the Treasury building, within the first 100 days of it being in government.
And the Greens pledged almost $10 million to the arts with a public arts policy focusing on art innovation in schools and regional arts grants and infrastructure.
University of Tasmania political scientist Richard Eccleston said the Mercury’s Tassie 2022 campaign had identified the issues Tasmanian believed the next state government should address.
“It’s significant that all parties have announced new measures, which they claim will address emerging challenges such as the rental crisis, better transport options or improving mental health and aged care services,” Prof Eccleston said.
“It’s positive that these issues are on the political agenda but this is only the beginning.
“Many experts remain concerned that policies proposed in the election campaign are short-term and unlikely to provide long-term solutions.
“Questions also need to be asked about how spending commitments are going to be funded.”
Prof Eccleston said the challenges identified in the Tassie 2022 campaign were complex and required a longterm approach.
“Another clear conclusion from the campaign is that we work together as a community to address these issues,” he said.
“We need to move beyond the adversarial party politics and adopt a more collaborative approach.
“The next government, whether it be majority government or not, must work constructively with the Legislative Council, local government and key stakeholders to develop long-term solutions to challenges identified in 2022.”