Today the Coalition has reaffirmed its commitment to Tasmania’s future with its $150 million investment in the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme.
The initiative, backed by a total investment of $300 million in partnership with the Tasmanian Liberal Government and Tasmanian Irrigation, will be transformational for the region.
Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton said the Coalition’s investment will support more than 300 farms and irrigators and fuel the continued growth of Tasmania’s world-class fruit, viticulture, and agriculture sectors.
“Labor has ignored the needs of Tasmanians, whether it is water security, salmon farming, or the future of forestry. In contrast a Government I lead, backed by passionate representatives like Susie Bower, will deliver for Tasmanians.
“Our commitment to the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme, which is vital for growing opportunities for the region’s fresh produce is just one part of our commitments to Tasmania’s future.
“We’ve backed Tasmania and we’ll continue to consider good Tasmanian water projects backed by business cases on a 50/25/25 funding basis through the National Water Grid because unlike Labor we take water security and Tasmania’s economic future seriously.”
The Shadow Minister for Water, Senator Perin Davey said Tasmanians were the first to bring forward the concept of public private partnership where irrigators were invested from the design and concept stage, and have shown time and time again that this concept works.
“We know there are further opportunities for the development of Tasmanians irrigation sector and look forward to working with the government and farmers to identify new and viable projects,” Senator Davey said.
Candidate for Lyons, Susie Bower said the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme is critical for the region, but was completely ignored by the Albanese Government.
“Labor overlooked this important project until after the Coalition made our commitment. Like with so many Tasmanian issues, and just like protecting the salmon industry, Labor only pretends to care when it’s politically convenient.
“This project is vital for the future of our farmers and regional jobs in Lyons. It will support over 200 jobs during construction and nearly 470 ongoing roles and agribusinesses across the region. This is why I fought for it to be supported, and why it will be delivered by a Dutton Coalition Government.
“Tasmanians need a government in Canberra that understands Tasmania and is making decisions that are good for Tasmanians. Labor has prioritized the interests of greens voters in the inner cities and delivered too little, too late for our state”.
In addition to the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme, a Dutton Government will deliver key initiatives for Tasmania including:
- $65 million to fix the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme
- $80 million for the duplication of the Bass Highway between Launceston and Deloraine
- $37 million to improve Launceston and Flinders Island airports
- $750 million for Tasmania’s hospitals for 2025-26, which is an increase of $90 million from 2024-25
- Urgent Care Clinics in Burnie and Sorrell
- $8 million for the Burnie Health Hub
- Lasting certainty to the salmon industry
- New Permanent Timber Production Zones