Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader
The Premier’s stimulus package announced today contains a number of positive measures to support businesses struggling with the coronavirus downturn.
We are concerned, however, that $400 million plus is being poured in to economic measures, and a tiny amount of this is directly ensuring support and protection for vulnerable Tasmanians.
The Gutwein Government needs to reassure vulnerable Tasmanians that they’ve got their back too. It needs to demonstrate it’s prepared to take tough measures to prevent the spread of the virus across the community, and that it will provide financial support and relief for everyday Tasmanian workers and families.
The West Australian government has frozen all household fees and charges including electricity, water, public transport fares and motor vehicle charges. Tasmania needs to do the same.
Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Health spokesperson
like the rest of the world, Tasmania in facing extraordinarily difficult challenges from the COVID-19 pandemic. It would be naive think the situation won’t get worse. Now is the time to act.
Unfortunately, the Premier’s announcements don’t address the concerns expressed by the 140 Tasmanian GPs who wrote to the Health Minister yesterday, pleading for “aggressive steps to limit the spread of disease”.
While the funding announcements are welcome, they won’t stop an exponential growth in coronavirus cases in Tasmania.
The best way to ‘flatten the curve’ of cases is to follow the lead of countries that have been successful. The Tasmanian Government needs to require all entrants to self-isolate for a fortnight, restrict unnecessary public gatherings, and close our schools.