I am delighted to announce the reappointment of the four Business Members to the Joint Commonwealth and Tasmanian Economic Council for a further period of 18 months.
Co-chair Dale Elphinstone, and members Professor Janelle Allison, Chris Oldfield, and Wayne Bould have contributed strongly to the Council’s reform agenda, and I look forward to continuing to work with them in identifying opportunities for jobs and growth in Tasmania.
The Commonwealth has taken the opportunity to invest in Tasmania through priorities identified by the Council, including providing $203 million to expand the Tasmania Freight Equalisation Scheme and $60 million for Tasmanian Irrigation Schemes, both announced in the 2015-16 Budget.
The Government is delivering $1 billion for new transport infrastructure and providing $106 million for a Jobs and Growth Package to deliver greater confidence and economic opportunities for Tasmanians.
Over the last 18 months the Council has highlighted a number of opportunities to invest in jobs and growth within Tasmania, and I further note the work of the Business Members in raising considered ideas for economic reform in the State.
Chaired by the Prime Minister and Mr Elphinstone, the Council membership includes myself, the Business Members, Tasmanian Premier the Hon. Will Hodgman, Tasmanian Treasurer the Hon. Peter Gutwein, the Minister for Industry and Science the Hon. Ian MacFarlane and the Chair of the Tasmanian Major Projects Approval Agency, Mr Bob Calvert.
The Council last met on 7 August 2015 in Sorell, Tasmania, and has agreed to meet again in Canberra in December 2015.