The Gillard Government is investing in one of the most important projects for the future expansion of Hobart, said Assistant Treasurer David Bradbury.
Mr Bradbury joined Tasmanian Labor Senator Carol Brown today to inspect the remediation works at the Macquarie Point railyards.
In June the Gillard Government provided a $50 million grant to the Tasmanian Government for the remediation works, as well as funding to support the nearby redevelopment of Brooke Street Pier.
"The Gillard Government is pleased to be investing in this vital first step towards redeveloping this site," said Mr Bradbury.
"This is an historic opportunity to transform the Hobart waterfront and unlock the great potential this site has to drive the city's economic development."
Senator Brown said the redevelopment of Brooke Street Pier will also be crucial for the future of Tasmania's tourism industry.
"The redeveloped Pier will also provide a boost to local ferry and cruise services by delivering a state of the art facility for the Salamanca precinct," she said
"These works will not only help to stimulate our economic growth but they will also greatly improve the liveability of Hobart and make it an even more attractive destination for tourists."
Mr Bradbury said the Gillard Government was also committed to supporting Tasmania by ensuring it received a fair share of the GST.
"Along with funding important projects like the remediation works at Macquarie Point, the Gillard Government also wants to make sure that Tasmania is getting its fair share of the GST carve-up," he said.
"The Government has commissioned an independent review of the distribution of the GST, and unlike Tony Abbott and the Liberals, we are committed to the principle of horizontal fiscal equalisation, as outlined in our review's terms of reference.
"Under Tony Abbott's plan for a per capita GST distribution, Tasmania would see $600 million disappear from its budget while the bigger states would pocket more revenue.
"Tony Abbott is happy to see Tasmanians lose out by shifting money away from them and into the big States.
"By maintaining horizontal fiscal equalisation, we will make sure Tasmania can continue to deliver the vital health and education services its communities rely upon."