Jobs, tax cuts in PM’s bold byelection play

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has driven home the Government’s jobs and business credentials while launching Braddon candidate Brett Whiteley’s by-election campaign in Burnie.

In front of 150 vocal supporters, Mr Turnbull announced two road funding projects and a $3.9 million training package.

The launch coincided with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s launch of Justine Keay’s campaign as promises of cash pour in to the Braddon electorate ahead of the Super Saturday by-elections on July 28.

Mr Turnbull said the $3.9 million NorthWest Tasmania Job Ready Generation Package would upskill 600 Tasmanians with the qualifications and onthe-job training required in the growing sectors of agriculture, mining, manufacturing, building and construction.

“It will include $1 million to fund the delivery of school based pre apprenticeship and apprenticeship training and it has the funding to support 160 apprenticeships over three years,” he said.

Two projects were part of the $400 million Roads of Strategic Importance Initiative already announced in the Federal Budget.

“Today I can confirm that $60 million of that will be spent on the Bass Highway between Wynyard and Marrawah and with $40 million from the Hodgman Government that means $100 million will be invested in that section,” he said.

“That is not an election pledge, it is real money it is a commitment, that money is going to flow because we are in government.”

Mr Turnbull said a $10 million roads funding package for upgrades to the Murchison Highway would also come from the ROSE initiative.

“That road is critical to moving mining product to the Burnie port for export,” he said.

Premier Will Hodgman welcomed the commitment which would support the resources sector, visitor economy and improve safety and productivity.

A State Government spokesman said Federal funds would go towards a $2.5 million Ulverstone Cultural Precinct.

Mr Turnbull said the Gov- ernment’s personal income tax cuts would benefit 40,000 people in Braddon by $530 a year.

And business tax cuts would benefit 8700 small businesses in the electorate.

Mr Whiteley, acknowledging that a Government has not won a by-election from an Opposition since 1920. “We can be political historymakers,” said.