25 September 2024

In his press conference today, the Prime Minister has demonstrated complete disdain for our state.

When asked whether Federal Labor would exempt our stadium from GST calculations, so we can get our fair share, the PM was finally honest and told us he will be taking $240 million away from our health and education systems through less GST.

To add insult to injury, the PM misled Tasmanians about whether other projects have been exempted from GST, including a stadium in his own Treasurer’s electorate. The PM said, if he exempted Tasmania’s stadium, he would have to do it for Queensland Olympics infrastructure as well.

Yet the reality is that he has! This includes a $142 million stadium in Jim Chalmers’ own electorate – all exempt from GST. It is one deal for Queensland and another for Tasmania. We are being dudded and lied to.

Further casting doubt over Mr Albanese’s honesty is the claim that “I was an Infrastructure Minister for six years. I assure you there was no GST exemptions during that period”. In fact, as infrastructure Minister, Mr Albanese exempted money for Macquarie Point from GST.

How can Australians trust a PM that so easily tells bald-faced lies?

This PM and his government are letting Tasmania down, and he is lying to Australia.