FUTURE generations will still be paying for the Bartlett Government’s election promises, according to a Tasmanian analyst.
Tom Ellison, general manager of advisory firm Wills Financial Group, said the State cannot afford to be plunged further into debt by a Government determined to hang on to power at any cost.
“What Tasmanians, and Tasmanian businesses are seeking, is leadership,’’ Mr Ellison said. “People are looking for a sign that the current Government is prepared to face the challenges of the next decade, not just those of the few weeks remaining before the State Election’’.
“The Howard Government lost power after squandering billions of dollars in the year before losing power,’’ Mr Ellison said. “It seems David Bartlett hasn’t learned from that.
With the Budget still under pressure for the life of the forward estimates, Mr Ellison said the focus should be on fostering the growth of small business, and encouraging entrepreneurship.
“Small business is the key driver of the State’s economy.’’
“Yet the Bartlett Government seems preoccupied with relying on infrastructure spending to keep the economy afloat,’’ Mr Ellison said.
“Building roads and bridges with Commonwealth funding might provide a short-term economic benefit for the State,’’ he said. “But infrastructure spending is a one-off; once completed, the jobs dry up.’’
While recognising that public service job cuts are off the agenda for now, Mr Ellison said further rash election commitments in coming weeks would force future Governments to slash the size of the public sector.
“Tasmania is a small State, with limited capacity to generate revenue,’’ he said. “What we need is restraint, economic responsibility, and a clear economic vision from Government,’’
“Without that, we face a bleak future; saddled with debt, and limited capacity for future Governments to ensure Tasmania remains the best place in the world to live.’’
Tom Ellison, [email protected]
