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Chief political reporter MARK BAKER analyses last night's Federal Budget and looks at what it means to Tasmania. THE State Government called it a "true Labor Budget", however, opponents have labelled it disappointing, conservative and slim on detail.
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan last night delivered the first Labor Budget in more than a decade, which featured a $21.7 billion surplus and focused on middle-income Australia.
Mr Swan's Budget will see personal income tax to be reduced by $47 billion over four years, people on $48,000 a year to get a weekly tax cut of $20 and people earning $14,000 or less to pay no tax.
State Treasurer Michael Aird said the Budget delivered on the key areas of infrastructure, education, health and hospitals and would ease pressure on working families.
"This is a true Labor Budget," Mr Aird said.
"The $20 billion for infrastructure, $10 billion for health and hospitals and $11 billion for education closely align with the Tasmanian Governments priorities."
Mr Aird said he was also pleased water initiatives and broadband had received funding commitments.
"I am confident that the new working relationship between the states and Commonwealth will deliver a fair go for everyone."
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Damon Thomas said the Budget was responsible but low on incentive and productivity items.
"You can't buy off small business by having a red tape review and spend large amounts of time of tax reviews which will start from July to December next year," Mr Thomas said.
"They're good but businesses tends to be cynical and say red tape reform is a matter that governments have spoken about every year for 20 years.
Mr Thomas said the Tasmanian Government would need to receive its share of infrastructure funding promptly.
"All the large amounts of money are very good in the longer term growth of the country but everything you're hearing tonight gives you feeling that it's going to be held up.
"This Government is offering very large amounts of money in a very controlled tap. It's turning the tap on but it's really, really slow pressure."
Mr Thomas said the $21 billion surplus was an excellent result and increased funds for child-care and education would be good for Tasmania.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz blasted the Government for removing the $37 million the Coalition had announced for hospitals to fund its own promises
The $37 million included $16 million for the LGH, $8 million for the Burnie hospital, and $8.4 million for new ambulances.
"Tasmania's health system is already at breaking point, and will be under even more pressure after Labor's Medicare surcharge levy change," Senator Abetz said.
Senator Abetz was also critical of the lack of detail regarding the other $730 million promised for Tasmania by Labor and said few promises were itemised as expenditure.
"Where is the money for Jodi Campbell's $2 million Launceston aquatic centre? Where is Sid Sidebottom's $12 million manufacturing centre?"
Tasmanian Greens Senator Christine Milne was disappointed that climate change did not feature more prominently in the Budget.
"That is really disappointing for those of us who want quick action and all we're getting is token gestures," Senator Milne said. "A lot of this Budget is photo opportunities and not a lot of substance."
Senator Milne welcomed the increase in the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to cover King Island and Flinders Island and the boost to the Bass Strait Passenger Equalisation Scheme.
"But apart from that Tasmania seems to have only benefited to the extent of road funding and a lot of those roads and bridges are going to be for the log trucks for the pulp mill as much as anything else."
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan last night delivered the first Labor Budget in more than a decade, which featured a $21.7 billion surplus and focused on middle-income Australia.
Mr Swan's Budget will see personal income tax to be reduced by $47 billion over four years, people on $48,000 a year to get a weekly tax cut of $20 and people earning $14,000 or less to pay no tax.
State Treasurer Michael Aird said the Budget delivered on the key areas of infrastructure, education, health and hospitals and would ease pressure on working families.
"This is a true Labor Budget," Mr Aird said.
"The $20 billion for infrastructure, $10 billion for health and hospitals and $11 billion for education closely align with the Tasmanian Governments priorities."
Mr Aird said he was also pleased water initiatives and broadband had received funding commitments.
"I am confident that the new working relationship between the states and Commonwealth will deliver a fair go for everyone."
Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry chief executive Damon Thomas said the Budget was responsible but low on incentive and productivity items.
"You can't buy off small business by having a red tape review and spend large amounts of time of tax reviews which will start from July to December next year," Mr Thomas said.
"They're good but businesses tends to be cynical and say red tape reform is a matter that governments have spoken about every year for 20 years.
Mr Thomas said the Tasmanian Government would need to receive its share of infrastructure funding promptly.
"All the large amounts of money are very good in the longer term growth of the country but everything you're hearing tonight gives you feeling that it's going to be held up.
"This Government is offering very large amounts of money in a very controlled tap. It's turning the tap on but it's really, really slow pressure."
Mr Thomas said the $21 billion surplus was an excellent result and increased funds for child-care and education would be good for Tasmania.
Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz blasted the Government for removing the $37 million the Coalition had announced for hospitals to fund its own promises
The $37 million included $16 million for the LGH, $8 million for the Burnie hospital, and $8.4 million for new ambulances.
"Tasmania's health system is already at breaking point, and will be under even more pressure after Labor's Medicare surcharge levy change," Senator Abetz said.
Senator Abetz was also critical of the lack of detail regarding the other $730 million promised for Tasmania by Labor and said few promises were itemised as expenditure.
"Where is the money for Jodi Campbell's $2 million Launceston aquatic centre? Where is Sid Sidebottom's $12 million manufacturing centre?"
Tasmanian Greens Senator Christine Milne was disappointed that climate change did not feature more prominently in the Budget.
"That is really disappointing for those of us who want quick action and all we're getting is token gestures," Senator Milne said. "A lot of this Budget is photo opportunities and not a lot of substance."
Senator Milne welcomed the increase in the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to cover King Island and Flinders Island and the boost to the Bass Strait Passenger Equalisation Scheme.
"But apart from that Tasmania seems to have only benefited to the extent of road funding and a lot of those roads and bridges are going to be for the log trucks for the pulp mill as much as anything else."
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