Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Treasury spokesperson
Treasury's Preliminary Outcomes Report puts the state's finances in a reasonable position, but nobody should believe it is the result of Treasurer Gutwein's genius.
These financial outcomes are the result of the government sacking 1200 public servants in this term, the underfunding of Health and Education, as well as the massive GST windfall coming to the State.
Treasurer Gutwein is rolling around in rivers of gold flowing from Canberra, while his spinners attribute the healthy finances to 'strong fiscal discipline' and canning spending on consumables, like umbrellas.
The financial reality is that this is as a result of axing 1200 public sector workers over four years and big fat cheques coming from extra GST revenue.
While the Liberals are clearly socking away a war chest for the next state election, Tasmanians are feeling the pain of the public sector cuts now.
Waiting lists for elective surgery and public housing have skyrocketed since the Liberals came into government. This is nothing to celebrate.
It is Tasmanians who are suffering, all while the Treasurer gleefully counts the money in the Treasury vault.