The Hodgman government needs to disclose whether they have made a formal submission to the Abbott government regarding investment priorities for the $16 million previously earmarked for Cadburys, and the methodology utilised for any potential allocation of funds, Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson Kim Booth MP said today.
“There are many questions surrounding the reallocation of this promised $16 million, and the longer we wait concerns grow that its allocation will be based on Liberal pork-barrelling imperatives rather than merit,” Mr Booth said.
“The Greens are calling on the Treasurer to disclose whether the government has made any application to their Federal counterparts over the reallocation of these promised monies, whether they are negotiating any priority areas for funding, and if so on what basis were they selected.”
“There are a range of key public policy areas worthy of consideration, including boosting the maintenance and management of our national parks’ ecological integrity, public infrastructure such as a state data cable to connect with the global network, and tourism support, as well as public health campaigns in rural and regional areas.”
“Clearly $16 million will not go far across the wide range of well-deserving options, and we need to ensure its allocation is based on a transparent process, and is not an exercise in cherry-picking and pork-barrelling.”
“Tasmanians deserve to know not only where the $16 million is going to go, but also how and why that decision was made, and what involvement the State government had in determining where the money is invested.”
“There should be complete disclosure of any State preferred options short-list submitted to Mr Abbott, as well as a cost-benefit analysis released with the eventual decision for the reallocation of the $16 million,” Mr Booth said.