The Hon Peter Dutton – Leader of the Opposition, Federal Member for Dickson
Senator The Hon Bridget McKenzie – Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Leader of the Nationals in the Senate
March 21 2025
An elected Dutton Coalition Government will commit $65 million to support Tasmanian industry and address increased costs of travelling to and from Tasmania to the mainland.
Within the first 100 days of a Coalition Government, we will provide $3 million in funding for a review of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme, as recommended by the recent Senate Select Committee, and expand the terms of reference to include the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme.
While the review is being undertaken, the Coalition would also deliver interim assistance of $62 million to enhance the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme. This responds to industry’s request regarding the calculated freight cost disadvantage and increased intermodal costs. This will be available for north and south bound freight, as well as between Tasmania and Flinders and King islands.
The Coalition wants to ensure these schemes are delivering for the Tasmanian public, farmers and industry as they were intended.
Tasmanian businesses have been struggling for too long with increasing costs of shipping goods and agricultural produce to the mainland, and the costs of bringing production inputs to the island.
Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Peter Dutton MP said a Coalition Government will ensure the two schemes are fit for purpose.
“Tasmanian producers and businesses are responsible for some of the finest foods and products. The ability to get these products to markets around Australia and the world is critical to sustaining and growing jobs in Tasmania, and underpinning investment in key industries,” Mr Dutton said.
“Mr Albanese has stood by and done nothing while Tasmanian businesses have been punished by Labor’s high inflation and rising shipping costs.
“The Coalition has a strong track record of ensuring Tasmanian businesses and farmers are not disadvantaged in selling their goods interstate, or exporting to the world – and we plan to
continue that.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the Coalition will ensure the review will cut red tape and find ways to modernise the scheme to reflect today’s commercial environment.
“This scheme was set up to ensure Tasmanian businesses could compete equally with mainlanders,” Senator McKenzie said.
“The objective of the scheme is to ensure that freight crossing the Bass Strait would effectively be the same as freight traversing any other highway in the country.
“Over recent years it hasn’t been working for Tasmanian businesses and they are rightly frustrated.
“That’s why a Coalition Government will urgently address the issue through an independent review and fix this inequity once and for all.
“It is equally important that the review consider the design and settings of the Bass Strait Passenger Vehicle Equalisation Scheme, which many Tasmanians use to access services on the mainland.”
Ensuring a fair go for Tasmania’s industries is all part of our plan to deliver a strong and secure economic future for Tasmanians, and part of our plan to get our country back on track.