Senate debates

Wednesday, 30 July 2025

Statements by Senators

Tasmania: Economy

1:38 pm

Photo of Carol BrownCarol Brown (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is driving a national push for practical long-term economic reform, reform that lifts productivity, strengthens the budget and improves the lives of working Australians. Later this year, the Treasurer will bring together leaders from business unions, the community sector and key institutions for our national Economic Reform Roundtable. The aim is simple: to build consensus around the kinds of reforms that will make our economy more dynamic, more resilient and fairer. This is not a Canberra conversation; it's a country-wide challenge, and it has to be shaped by the lived experience of people across the nation.

That's why I'm proud to say Tasmania is a part of it. On 6 August, the Tasmania federal Labor team will bring together local voices from business, education, the care sector and research for a Tasmanian economic round table in Hobart to talk through the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead, because real, lasting reform starts by listening to the people who live it. We will be focusing on three big areas: lifting productivity in a way that works for regional economies; building a skilled and supported workforce; and unlocking Tasmania's strength in clean energy and technology. Good policy must start with place. National reform must make room for local knowledge, real-world experience and plain common sense. Nationwide diversity should be a strength not a barrier. The ideas and insights from the Tasmanian roundtable will feed directly into the national conversation, and I want to thank all those who are stepping up to be part of it. This is how we do reform: carefully, collaboratively and with a focus on what actually works for people.