Eric Abetz (Tasmania, Liberal Party, Minister for Employment) Share this | Hansard source

I am sure Senator Lambie would be aware that the state Liberal government is dealing with issues of international export as well from the state of Tasmania and has made moneys available for that exact purpose. Can I also indicate that the government is working methodically through the Productivity Commission report, and that, under the restrained financial circumstances this nation faces—borrowing $1,000 million a month as we speak just to pay the interest on the existing borrowings; completely and utterly unsustainable—money is regrettably in short supply. That is why we as a government are working very methodically through the Productivity Commission review's recommendations to ascertain what we can do to ensure that we can protect as many jobs as possible and indeed grow job opportunities in our home state of Tasmania.