Watch the videos of the debate on shaping Tasmania’s future …
Earlier on Tasmanian Times: Shape the debate on Tasmania’s future, HERE
The Mercury report:
TASMANIA is not an economic basketcase, analyst Saul Eslake declared last night.
“Things are nowhere near as bad as they were in the late 1990s,” said the Tasmanian-born former chief economist with the ANZ.
West Australian Premier Colin Barnett recently described Tasmania as “Australia’s national park” and accused it of relying on handouts from other hard-working states.
And the Federal Government has been under pressure to rearrange the distribution of tax revenues in favour of the larger and mineral-rich states.
Mr Eslake acknowledged at an economic debate last night that Tasmania had its share of problems, including low student retention rates in year 12.
A panel including the state’s three political leaders debated if Tasmania is an economic powerhouse or a basketcase.
They all said the state had a tough road ahead but could end up a winner.
Meanwhile, also in Tasmania …
