In a stark example of Premier Rockliff’s inability to manage money, RTI documents have shown that the Liberal minority government has used debt-funded Tasmanian taxpayer funds for an anti-competitive Enabling Business Grant Program.

In a program that runs counter to principles of competitive neutrality, Premier Rockliff has used Tasmania’s credit card to shout dozens of iPhones, Macbooks, iPads, and other computers for businesses across the state, and even two sets of noise cancelling headphones for a custom hat business.

Despite being about bringing new technology into small businesses, the waste extended to glass cabinets in newsagencies, freezers in grocers, and trailers for maintenance businesses.

Shockingly, the Premier failed to deny that one person received three grants under this scheme under different business names.

Why on earth are Tasmanian taxpayers paying for this stuff in a budget crisis?

Premier Rockliff can’t manage money. He’s bankrupted the state with wasteful spending like this and now he’s selling off Tasmania’s assets to pay down his record debt.

After 11 years of Liberal mismanagement, Tasmania’s budget situation has never been worse, and the wasteful taxpayer-funded handouts need to stop.

Josh Willie MP
Shadow Treasurer