CLARK LEFT OFF MAP
AS PREDICTED the federal budget is a spendathon designed to stimulate the Australian economy and counter the devastating impacts of the coronavirus crisis. There is a lot of good. There is a focus on helping upskill employees, on handling a clear mental health crisis, addressing our care for the elderly and an increased focus on childcare.
The boost in GST is also welcome news for Tasmania.
But one thing that’s clear about Treasurer Josh Frydenberg’s budget is that it’s an election budget and one that is focused squarely on big spends in Bass and Braddon with the electorate of Clark left virtually off the map.
Where is the funding for the south’s City Deal? That discussion will certainly play out in coming days.
The reality is though that the only cure to our nation’s woes is ensuring that the vaccination program is rolled out as quickly as possible so that the interstate border closures and the snap lockdowns can become a thing of the past.
We also need a path out of Australia’s isolation – we cannot be cut off from the rest of the world indefinitely.
TASTE NEWS BITES
AS MUCH as there is great concern in the community about what will happen with one of the state’s most-loved events, there seems to be consensus that something had to give with Taste of Tasmania.
Hobart City Council voted this week to divest itself of the event.
Organisers of the Sydney to Hobart as well as tourism operators and the stallholders and businesses who usually take part will likely be worried about missing out on yet another year.
Former alderman John Freeman told the Mercury the festival had been dreamt up in response to suggestions a Sydney to Coffs Harbour yacht race could put the iconic Bass Strait competition at risk.
In its 31 years of operation there is no doubt that Taste of Tasmania has been a huge hit as well as a massive revenue driver.
Most agree that it was time for the council to do something extreme to secure the event’s future, but that’s where the consensus ends.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive officer Luke Martin says he thinks the event should operate under a not-for-profit model and there should be a cover charge, which is a similar set up to the Festivale but it’s a lot to ask of volunteers.
There are other professional events organisers that are keen to have a crack while others believe there shouldn’t be a cover charge.
Whatever shakes out in coming months, it is hoped that both the council and the state government continue to support an event that makes sense and that can be sustainable.