Tasmania July to December 2011

This has been a period of unprecedented economic difficulty for Tasmania. While political opponents have blamed the current government, particularly the Premier, for this, the reality is that the Global Financial Crisis has begun to hit the state. Any advantages from the stronger Australian currency are damaging to Tasmania, reducing international tourism and causing a collapse in prices for exports. This has flowed through to a reduction in domestic spending that has led to a reduction in GST collection. Our aging population with nationally poorest levels of health in most indicators, coupled with poor educational outcomes [although there has been some improvement here] have combined to push our health system close to the brink. These are difficult times for Tasmania with the battles being fought by politicians who in many instances had no part in the creation of these problems. The program of reform proposed by the government is rigorous but arguably overdue and now essential.