Mr Speaker, On the 18^th of March, the people of Tasmania spoke clearly. And I want to congratulate the Premier and the other Members of the Government for their success at the election.

Indeed I congratulate all Members of the House on their election, particularly the new Member for Bass, Michelle O’Byrne, and the new Member for Denison, Lisa Singh.

For the Liberal Party, it was disappointing that we did not win any more seats. But I believe the Liberal Party can take much from this year’s Election, as we move forward. I am confident that as a unified, well-balanced, constructive, and now a little more experienced Parliamentary team, we can achieve much over the coming term, and that we will give the Tasmanian public a real choice in 2010.

 

Mr Speaker, I will take the opportunity today to articulate some of my vision for Tasmania, and what I see as priorities for our State. But before I do so, I must make some mention of the current political climate.

 

ACCOUNTABILITY

 

Mr Speaker, It is obvious, but important to remember that simply because we have had an election, the problems confronting this government have not gone away. The election has not wiped the slate clean. The problems with our health system; the lack of public housing; the slips in education standards; or the crumbling of our road infrastructure have not ceased being.

These problems have not gone away. They remain unsolved.

And the Tasmanian public can rightly expect that this Labor Government will soon start to come up with some solutions; that it will start to make some inroads on our appalling waiting lists; that year seven students will start to display standards in literacy and numeracy that are not below the national average; and that our road networks across the state are being attended to, and not just when it’s politically expedient for the government to do so.

And people surely do not want backward looking politicians trying to blame previous governments for problems they have had eight years to fix. This Labor Government is expected to deliver. And we, as the State Opposition, will continue to hold it accountable if it fails to do so.

  

GOOD MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

 

Mr Speaker, Two most critical requisites of good governance are prudent management, and accountability. And currently we have before us two glaring examples that bring in to question this Government’s capabilities on both counts.

The recent revelations concerning the financial plight of Hydro Tasmania and the TT Line, and the apparent demise of Spirit of Tasmania III, are certainly disturbing and indicate serious mismanagement by the Labour Government over a number of years.

And - worse still - the financial hardship of both government enterprises only came to light conveniently after the State Election. The Lennon Government has kept from public scrutiny, which is of course at it’s keenest during an Election Campaign, the circumstances of two of its enterprises that are clearly experiencing serious financial hardship. This information has been kept hidden from the public until after the Election, obviously in order to avoid electoral damage.

And - to aggravate things even further - we have recently seen the extraordinary attempt by the Lennon Government to avoid further scrutiny by trying, unsuccessfully, to cancel the Government Business Enterprise scrutiny hearings this year. An ill-judged and contemptuous attempt to avoid proper scrutiny and to further keep the Parliament and the Tasmanian public in the dark.

So, Mr Speaker, the Lennon Government has failed on both counts. It is not displaying good management. And worse, it is trying to hide that from public scrutiny, thus compromising accountability.

 

FIXED PARLIAMENTARY TERMS

 

And Mr Speaker, I believe that this style of governance, which is dictated by political convenience, is a very good reason for adopting fixed parliamentary terms. I am of the firm view that the Tasmanian public would be better served by the certainty of fixed terms. It provides a more certain and stable political environment not just for the broader community, but also business and potential investors to the State.

 

And it circumvents the sort of manipulation and opportunism that we have seen just this year by the Lennon Government which went to an early election and consequently torpedoed the scheduled GBE scrutiny hearings in order to avoid the likely political damage those that scrutiny would bring. So, Mr Speaker, I will move, during this session of Parliament, for the introduction of fixed Parliamentary terms.

  

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH

 

Mr Speaker, The Lennon Government now has the responsibility to take our State forward. It has the responsibility and the mandate to define a vision, set an agenda and establish a plan to achieve that objective. In fact, it is expected of government.

In the Governor’s speech, delivered yesterday, there was mention of a vision. And some mention of an agenda. Some priorities areas were identified. But there was no substance. No real indication of how those priorities will be achieved. No strategic outline and no detailed plan.

 

STATE STRATEGIC PLAN

 

Mr Speaker, This Lennon Government lacks an overarching, comprehensive State Strategic Plan.

Yes, we have Tasmania Together, which contains some very admirable ideals and broad objectives. But it does not detail the government’s strategic framework for social and economic development in this State.

Yes, the Government produces its annual Competition Index which purports to benchmark Tasmania against other States in certain areas. But there is no comprehensive plan detailing how it is that the Government intends to deal with the challenges and deficiencies identified by that index. It is an annual report card.

This Government has become fixated on short-term goals and electoral cycles. There is a clear need for Tasmania to have a fully integrated, comprehensive state strategic plan. A plan for the long term that is developed with Tasmanians; community groups; stakeholder organisations; business and industry sectors. A plan that would tackle the major, and difficult challenges confronting our state.

For example, our road networks which are degenerating and struggling to cope with increased traffic movements. That could incorporate the long-term integrated transport plan that experts and key stakeholder groups are calling for here in Hobart.

The plan would, for example, actually tackle the issue of the Royal Hobart Hospital, and whether a green fields site development is feasible and it would contemplate, for example, the quarantining of available land that might be used at a later time to develop a green fields site.

A policy proposed by the Liberal Party at the election. A long term, strategic outlook that explores all options, rather than shutting the door now – as Labour have done. Not driven by the electoral cycle or current budgetary constraints.

 

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

 

The Plan would identify industries that will be the primary drivers of our economy, fifteen or twenty years from now. And it will foster broader regional development.

Because, in Tasmania, whilst regionalism and parochialism can be unhelpful, when properly harnessed in a strategic framework that recognises and fosters the competitive advantages of our regions, positive outcomes can be achieved.

There is better scope in Tasmania for more coordinated regional development programs, and we are now seeing some local councils combining their efforts and resources in positive ways to drive local growth.

Regional development would benefit from the leadership of the State Government, and would occur in the context of an overarching State strategic plan.

 

And Mr Speaker, Having met with planning experts during the Election campaign, I have firmed in my view that it is time for substantive reform in our planning system.

Again, as part of an overarching plan, that contains broad state-wide interests, but is also conscious of the idiosyncrasies of our various regions, the State does need to refine its systems that determine the important balance between development and conservation; public expectations and the desires of private enterprise.

The Lennon Government has talked about its planning policies, and its coastal policies. But we are still waiting. This leads to further uncertainty, and we are without a properly integrated policy framework. This is another area that really should be included in a state strategic plan.

 

Mr Speaker, Another issue which we are constantly warned of is our ageing population, and the looming challenges and threats it will bring, primarily with respect to our health and community services. But what plan has the government to address this issue? A long-term strategic vision would contain provision for this serious demographic shift.

It would identify those areas now that are in increasingly pressing need of attention -such as the availability of appropriate accommodation facilities or the availability of a suitably skilled work force that can cope with increased demands; or the increased need for public transport or assisted transport schemes.

It would also highlight the way in which the State could benefits, for example through the provision of services for the elderly, the integration of information and telecommunications technology into aged services.

 

TASMANIA - THE BENCHMARK FOR AUSTRALIA

 

Mr Speaker, The plan would set goals and realistic benchmarks for performance that place Tasmania ahead of the pack.

The ultimate aim to make Tasmania the benchmark for Australia. Where, in a well-considered strategic plan, we promote and develop our natural strengths, competitive advantages and growth opportunities and plot our progress against those benchmarks.

 

OUR LIFESTYLE AND OUR ENVIRONMENT

 

I am extremely passionate about the place in which we live.  And I am conscious of the serious responsibility we have to preserve it for future generations. It is part of our make-up, and must be balanced against the need to develop and grow. Tasmania’s lifestyle is second to none. This is a benchmark in which we already lead the country, and indeed the world.

And it is the background against which all other objectives and benchmarks should be considered. And government should set the highest benchmarks and pay the greatest regard for protecting our lifestyle and our natural environment.

I consider the protection of our natural heritage, the cleanliness of our air and our waterways one of the key responsibilities that befalls a government and policy makers. We must not be complacent into only looking at the things locally. We must, in fact, think more broadly, more holistically. We have an obligation and a responsibility to show leadership on broader environmental issues, such as global warming and emissions control. And we shouldn’t ignore them because they aren’t issues directly confronting Tasmanians.

We must show leadership, and again, we must strive to make Tasmania the benchmark. And we can do so in this area, for example, by promoting Tasmania as a leader in environmental matters. Tasmania as an international environmental centre of excellence.

We have the capacity, for example, to actively promote environmental studies at the University of Tasmania, not just for our own people, but also for international students who can come here to study knowing that this state is at the cutting edge of environmental awareness and advancement. And we can enhance and develop a focus on the research and development of renewable energy technologies, and to build on the fine work that is already being done here in Tasmania.

A key part of the Liberals Energy policy at the Election was the establishment of a renewable energy centre of excellence, involving a collaboration of all levels of government, educational institutions, business and industry and key stakeholders. This is an initiative that should, I submit, be pursued.

Tasmania, here, can capitalise on another of our competitive strengths, and promote our environmental credentials, our renewable energy development, and progress research, development and commercialisation opportunities.

These are ways that Tasmania can lead the way in an area that concerns people across the globe, and particularly here in Tasmania where we do have the extraordinary advantage of living in a place with such exceptional natural beauty and environmental appeal.

 

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

 

And alongside our environment, we must continue to grow our economy and our social fabric.

Tasmania has enjoyed improved economic conditions. We have taken strides forward. And we have been the beneficiaries of a booming national economy and the resulting increased GST receipts. That is irrefutable. What would not be acceptable is to fritter all that away through poor financial management and a lack of strategic planning. But in the absence of any articulated comprehensive state strategic plan, it is difficult to place to much faith in the Lennon Government. 

Furthermore, it is a given, that government must not only be responsive to needs, but must be proactive and receptive to reform. Yes, it is good you say that ‘we will impose no new taxes’. But what else is proposed in terms of structural reform to further increase and then sustain economic growth and productivity?

What, for example, is being done to curb to emerging downward trend (which was identified just last week by a respected economic forecaster) in our population growth? A decline in interstate migration will have adverse affects on economic development and investment in our local economy. The State Government must act on this. But what is being done? Whatever it is, isn’t working.

The Labor Government has not yet properly addressed the imbalance in the flow of young people aged in their twenties and thirties leaving the State, and not being replaced – despite talking about it for years. This is not, of course, an ageist attitude.  Rather, it is identified by economic and social commentators as a necessity in an increasingly fluid global labour market to drive productivity and growth.

Tasmania is, of course, now far better equipped to enable people to live and work here, in spite of our geographical isolation, due to advances in information and communications technology. We must harness this trend and provide for it, and develop it more aggressively, by establishing and investing in appropriate technology and infrastructure here in Tasmania.

 

IMPEDIMENTS TO BUSINESS GROWTH

 

Mr Speaker, It is clear that currently one of the greatest impediments to growth in our economy, is the lack of an adequately skilled workforce. This challenge remains large on the government’s radar screen, and I acknowledge it will take some work to overcome. But again, whatever is being done isn’t working.

Conducting an extensive program of consultation with business, industry and the training and education sectors - to identify the extent of the challenge and the possible remedies - is surely a critical part of the way forward.

Another common complaint of those doing business is the prevalence of red-tape, regulatory imposts and other such impediments to growth. The Lennon Government has apparently taken little interest in addressing this issue.

And I consider it an area in which considerable gains could be made, that greatly benefit our business community and which ultimately drives further growth and development. We must do what we can to make life easier for the many and diverse business operators, many of which are small or micro enterprises, to succeed.

 

MAKING TASMANIA INVESTMENT ATTRACTIVE

And whilst we have a relatively competitive tax environment, Tasmania has a history of spending proportionately less on investment attraction than any other State, and the government should make a concerted effort to aggressively market Tasmania as an investment destination. Surely this is an area that the Government needs to be approaching with some vigour- and really should have been doing in recent years – given the increases in economic activity.

 

OUR NATURAL STRENGTHS

 

So Mr Speaker, Capturing and building on our natural strengths is a key part of my vision for Tasmania. And a large part of the challenge is about finding new ones.

We can not rely on the old way of doing things. We must always be on the look-out for new opportunities and emerging natural strengths. And when I think of our natural strengths - and the things we might do - I think, for example, of our iconic tourism replacing New Zealand as the prime South Pacific tourist destination. Of selling our fine food and wine in the best hotels throughout Europe and finding smarter ways to get our primary produce into other markets across the world;

Making Tasmania a hub for research and development and working more closely and more strategically with the University if Tasmania and other with the other education and research institutions. Investing in niche areas like renewable energy, in which Tasmania has already furnished an international reputation.

I look to our role in Antarctica and the Southern Oceans and our natural alignment to nautical sciences and marine engineering. These are just some examples of the opportunties that exist, and which could be seized and built upon under a state strategic plan.

 

OUR SOCIAL MAKE-UP

 

Mr Speaker, Tasmania’s diversity is one of its greatest attributes.  It will enable us to compete on an international stage. It will be an attractant for people living in other parts of the world to come and live in Tasmania, or to visit us. I am firmly of the view that we must strive to accept and embrace diversity in our social, environmental and economic make-up. And with that, we can also embrace change and a continual seeking of better way of life. And we can become a more tolerant and co-operative community.

 

INCLUSIVE OF IDEAS

 

Tasmania is a small, close community. This is a quality, but sometimes a curse. But again, it is part of our fabric, and much of what is appealing about this place we live in. We should value this closeness; this true ‘sense of community’ which is now so rare in bigger cities. And we should ensure we protect it. As a Liberal, I advocate free thought, free speech, and a right to choice.

We should not, as a local, close and highly-interconnected community, be afraid to allow for a free exchange of ideas. We should not demean, attack or bully those who dissent or who hold a different point of view.

And in Government, Ministers should not be protected by bureaucrats more concerned with their master’s reputation than with positive outcomes and service delivery. 

 

CONCLUSION

 

Mr Speaker, These are just some aspects of my vision for Tasmania. These are just some of this issues that I intend to pursue with the Government, over the coming years, in a positive way. I appreciate that whilst it is a fundamental responsibility of the Opposition to scrutinise the performance of the government and to often present a differing point of view, I am eager to also play a positive and constructive role wherever possible. 

Mr Speaker, on commencing my speech today I conceded that the election result was, overall, for the Liberal Party disappointing. We did not win any more seats.  We did, however, obtain an increased vote across the State, and in fact we were the only Party to achieve a positive swing in support.  We did present to the Tasmanian public a comprehensive and well-prepared policy platform. The result of four years of hard work and extensive consultation. We will not simply abandon that good work.

And Mr Speaker, I do, at this point, want to pay tribute to the efforts of my predecessor, the Honourable Member for Lyons, Rene Hidding, who assumed the leadership of the Liberal Party under very difficult circumstances in 2002. And who led a small, relatively inexperienced, but committed team with that very good policy platform to the 2006 Election.  I am the beneficiary of that good work.

I would also like to publicly acknowledge the efforts of all those who worked hard for the Liberals at the State Election, including the State Director and his team, the Party President and members of the State Executive, the thousands of party Members and supporters who chipped in and lent their support, and of course the candidates whose efforts and commitment were sadly not rewarded with a seat in Parliament. It does take courage and considerable resolve to stand for public office, and I would hope that many of the unsuccessful Liberal candidates consider running again at a future time.

There is much to be positive about. And with a vision and a plan for Tasmania, combined with a lot of hard work over the next four years, I am extremely optimistic about our prospects going forward.

 

PERSONAL THANKS

 

In closing, I would just like to make some convey some personal sentiments.

From the election, which seems like another lifetime ago, my small but dedicated Campaign Team gave hours of time, energy and support to get me in one piece to Election Day, and who contributed much to my personal success. Thank you very much James, Paul, Marty, and Vince.

And to the Members of the Liberal Party, my Parliamentary colleagues, and especially those from my electorate of Franklin -  the true believers - who are loyal and dedicated to our cause, despite its challenges. I appreciate and value your support and look forward to a bright future for the Liberal party in Tasmania.

And finally, to those who voted for me. I was humbled by my personal vote, and I sincerely appreciate the support and the trust you have placed in me. Over the last four years I have worked hard to be an accessible and responsive Member for people of Franklin, and I intend to maintain that practice into the future.

I would like to say to my wife, Nicky, my most heartfelt thanks to you for your immense love and support, which I value immeasurably, because of the sacrifices you make in order to allow me to pursue this most demanding and public vocation.

And especially now, with our third child only weeks away, and two gorgeous but highly energetic boys – William and James – to care for; I am truly blessed, and infinitely thankful for having you with me.

To my family - and particularly my father and two sisters, Angi and Tori. Outside the demands of political life, I truly cherish the wholesome love, support and good grounding that only families can give.  

My family is by far and away the most important thing in my life. It is my support and my inspiration.

And my children, who I adore are my motivation in this job. Not just for them, but for who they represent - the future generations of our great State, Tasmania.