Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Wednesday 22nd June, 2011

Greens on board, but will Giddings commit to quarterly reports?

Premier Lara Giddings must immediately move to support the Liberals’ Bill and provide quarterly financial reports on her budget.

Given that it appears that the Greens will join us to support the bill, the Premier must now do the same and provide Tasmanians with the transparency and accountability they deserve.

The simple fact is, if Lara Giddings can’t meet her $88 million savings from employee expenses within the next 12 months, the state will find itself back in net debt and our credit rating will suffer.

Under the current system, Tasmanians will not know if the budget is on track until February next year.

Tasmanians simply cannot afford to wait another eight months to find out just how bad the state’s financial position is.

The Green-Labor Government must no longer be allowed to hide the worsening economic situation from Tasmanians.

If Labor and the Greens are serious about improved transparency and accountability when it comes to managing Tasmania’s finances, Lara Giddings will immediately commit to supporting our bill.