Labor Policies
The Australian Labor Party Tasmanian Branch State Platform is a constantly evolving statement of principles and policies, underpinned by enduring
Labor values.
Tasmanian Labor Platform is made up of six chapters;
Maximising Tasmania’s Resources
GROWING TASMANIA’S ECONOMY PLATFORM 2019
Economic Values
Tasmanian Labor:
1. Believes in building an equitable society where the vulnerable are not neglected and where economic policy builds our community to deliver dignity, fairness and opportunity forall Tasmanians.
2. Believes equitable economic growth or development unlocks the full potential of the local economy by dismantling barriers and expanding opportunities for all Tasmanians, leaving our economy stronger for future generations.
3. Values the regional communities of Tasmania and is committed to delivering sustainable growth across the state through long term economic planning and modelling.
4. Believes that economic policy should deliver a social safety net that protects low income earners and vulnerable communities and enables a decent standard of living for all Tasmanians.
5. Believes a fair society that leaves no Tasmanian behind is a precondition for a strong economy, because inequality weakens economic growth and the social fabric of our society.
6. Believes that Tasmania’s regional communities make an important contribution to our economy and must be included in decision making.
7. Believes that investment in our economy during periods of economic downturn and uncertainty, whether financed through debt or reserves, is critical to long-term economic sustainability.
8. Believes that the government must make economic policy decisions that protect those most susceptible to cost of living pressures.
9. Believes that the market, left entirely to its own devices, cannot support full employment nor distribute wealth equitably to end economic disadvantage.
10. Recognises the contributions, past and present, made by Aboriginal Tasmanians to our economy and believes that the Tasmanian Aboriginal community is critical to Tasmania’s economic prosperity.
11. Believes that all Tasmanians should receive the same access to public services regardless of where they live and that the government has a responsibility to deliver this through the distribution of resources.
12. Believes the government has a critical role to play in the provision of reliable and affordable public services such as health, education, emergency response, housing, public transport, communications and electricity services to the Tasmanian community.
13. Believes the government has a critical role to play in supporting Tasmanian workers and Tasmanian businesses through its use of taxpayer money. 14.Believes in a fair distribution of wealth and that government has a role to play in creating community wealth. JobsTasmanian Labor:
15. Believes in working alongside the union movement to give every Tasmanian the opportunity of a secure job with a fair pay and the opportunity for advancement.
16. Believes that the ultimate aim of economic policy should be to achieve full employment in Tasmania and the elimination of disguised unemployment and underemployment.
17. Believes full employment and workforce participation is possible only when employers and employees collaborate for the common good.
18. Believes in ensuring Tasmanians receive a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work, health and safety protection while at work and the ability and encouragement to access further skills for career advancement.
19. Supports workforce planning to identify potential areas of skills shortages and demand and that this planning be used to inform course and program development in training organisations connected to relevant industry.
20. Believes that government has a critical role to play in the provision of employment-based training and apprenticeship opportunities. The government also has a critical role to retrain displaced labour and understands that providing these opportunities is integral to creating a strong economy.
21. Believes that a skilled workforce is critical to a strong economy and that government must provide clear directions and pathways for academic, technical and work skill development that meet local labour market demands.
22. Believes that opportunities for employment will be generated only where there is an environment, initiated by government, which stimulates growth in current and new competitive industries across the state.
23. Tasmanian Labor believes that labour-intensive, large-scale businesses are critical to achieving full employment.
Industry and Resource Development and Public Investment
Tasmanian Labor:
24. Believes that Tasmania has the human, built and natural resources to grow a vibrant and sustainable regional economy.
25. Believes that Tasmania’s long-term economicfuture is dependent a broad-based, diverse economy that supports both traditional and new industries.
26. Believes in the conservation of our national environment and that we must continue to transition our economy to sustainable, low carbon industries that preserve our natural advantages and build on our national and international reputation.
27. Believes that Tasmania’s economic future is dependent on the responsible use of our natural resources, including those impacted by agriculture and fisheries, mining, tourism, manufacturing and other industries.
28. Believes resource-based economic activity must be environmentally sustainable for future generations.29.Believes that a combination of public and private efforts to grow the economy, including public economic stimulus, will help grow a strong economy.
30. Will provide incentives and assistance to industry including in research and development, retention of talent in Tasmania and attracting talent to Tasmania, to ensure our industries are able to compete sustainably at a national and international level.
31. Believes in attracting strong domestic and international investment in our state which will encourage entrepreneurialism and equitable economic growth.
32. Is committed to building a diverse economy that supports a broad range of industries, including manufacturing, tourism, education, services and primary industries.
33. Believes a targeted and focused approach to directing public resources toward growing the Tasmanian economy is essential to the long-term future of the state.
34. Rejects the use of outsourcing where it results in the undermining of job security, wages and conditions of public sector employment and service delivery.
Public Infrastructure and TransportTasmanian
Tasmanian Labor:
35. Believes that access to public infrastructure and transport benefits not only the economy, but has a positive impact on social inclusion and creation of opportunities for all Tasmanians.
36.Believes in the value of intergenerational infrastructure and long-term infrastructure planning.
37. Believes that Tasmania must take a long-term and strategic approach to the coordination, planning, investment, use and maintenance of our public infrastructure and private development.
38. Believes that Tasmania’s infrastructure must facilitate and support economic development, provide for efficient transport and freight logistics and keep communities connected and safe.
39. Opposes the privatisation of any public owned assets.
40. Supports borrowing and the use of innovative debt financing facilities to fund public infrastructure investments.
41. Supports the provision of public infrastructure that promotes economic development and access to markets.
42. Believes that transport solutions should be tailored to the needs of local communities.
43. Believes that the provision of accessible and sustainable public transport is a fundamental priority of government and an absolute right of the Tasmanian community.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Tasmanian Labor:
44. Believes that small business, innovation and entrepreneurship are critical to Tasmania’s future prosperity.
45. Believes that supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in regional communities, including social enterprises, is a key component of economic growth in these areas.
46. Believes that all members of the community should be supported to participate in the economic change brought about by advancements in technology through strong government leadership and development of partnerships.
47. Believes there is a role for government in providing incentives and in creating a favourable environment to enable individuals and industry to pursue innovation that delivers new products and services for both Tasmania and overseas markets.
48. Believes that government should provide public capital to encourage new ventures and enable small to medium-sized business to grow and prosper to build a strong economy.
49. Supports the establishment of industries around new innovation and entrepreneurship that will deliver the jobs of the future and diversity Tasmania’s economic base.
50. Believes in a smart, modern and fair Tasmania that builds an economy that rewards people for their ideas and their effort.
51. Believes that equity of access to technology and digital literacy is critical for equitable economic growth.
52. Believes that government and private sector must work together to improve economic competitiveness, innovation and productivity.53.Believes that fairness for workers in these enterprises is critical to their success and the long term success of the Tasmanian economy.
Tasmania’s Maritime Industry
Tasmanian Labor:
54. Recognises economic growth in Tasmania is not possible without its maritime industry.
55. Believes immediate action must be taken to rectify failings in the Tasmanian maritime industry which are jeopardising the state’s economic prosperity and the livelihood of maritime reliant communities.
56. Believes strong regulation and expert consultation with maritime and safety experts should include the establishment a Maritime Advisory Committee authorised to operate by TasPorts, to provide mechanisms for consultation and maritime industry oversight and provide strategic advice on governance of the maritime industry.
57. Will pursue measures to ensure that any cargo loaded or landed in Tasmania from another port in Australia is defined as coastal trading.58.Will act to amend state laws to provide for the economic regulation of Tasmanian intra-State coastal shipping.
59. Supports the expansion of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme for a further ten years beyond 2019.
60. Will instigate a review into the subsidisation of services by foreign lines for direct international services for international bound cargo to ensure that subsidies are in line with service viability and cargo loads.
61. Will amend state laws to improve the operation, regulation, economic benefit and accountability to the publicof Tasmanian maritime GBEs and will initiate an inquiry into the operation of maritime GBEs to examine efficiency, transparency, reporting, distribution of financial returns and obligations.
62. Believes all maritime infrastructure must be audited by the Maritime Advisory Committee.
63. Will ensure proper consultation on the replacement of the King Island shipping service, including through the Maritime Advisory Committee and affiliated unions.
64. Notes the TT Line replacement vessels are crucial for Tourism and Freight reliant industries. The increased capacity with the new vessels is in line with industry requirements. Labor in Government will ensure delivery timelines are met and provide certainty to industry.
65. Believes that TasPorts pricing be investigated.
66. Will ensure appropriate stevedoring, towage and mooring licence application criteria will be adhered to in Ports Charges and engage the Maritime Advisory Committee to examine and approve additional licence applications.
67. Notes that the creation of a dedicated Ports Management Act in Tasmania would allow for a definition of stevedoring to be stipulated and the requirements easily regulated to enforce compliance in risk management.
68. Believes that the adequacy of ‘minimum safe manning’ and qualifications that are not at the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers level, and their application in relation to the unique conditions of the Tasmanian maritime industry, be reviewed.
69. Believes in providing increased opportunities for training and qualifications standards for occupational divers and in ensuring the utmost rigour in safety procedures is adhered to, including through a new Diving Code of Practice.
70. Will continue to invest in, seek funding for and promote the Australian Maritime College at a local, national and international level to protect its ongoing viability and actively work to maintain its excellent national and international reputation.