Top state news stories in 2018: preview
TOP STORIES in AUSTRALIAN STATES, 2018:
TAS
Tasmanian election, March
Analysts indicate Tasmania could face a minority government following the March election. The Liberals hold 15 seats after winning the 2014 election in a landslide, displacing a Labor-Greens minority government. Labor currently holds seven seats and the Greens three. However, an EMRS poll of 1000 voters released in December had the incumbent Liberal party and Labor opposition dead even at 34 per cent of primary support. Both major parties have ruled out negotiating with minor parties to form minority government but may be faced with no other alternative. After taking Labor's leadership in March, Rebecca White's popularity is at 48 per cent compared to Premier Will Hodgman's 35 per cent The Greens have 17 per cent support, while eight per cent of voters say they will vote for Jacqui Lambie's state party - rated a good chance of picking up a seat in Braddon. Poker machines policy is a major point of difference between Labor and the Liberals as they ramp up their campaigns. Labor in December pledged to remove more than 2300 poker machines from pubs and clubs across the state by 2023 if elected. It would make Tasmania the second state behind Western Australia without the machines in those venues. But industry heavyweights and the Liberals have labelled it 'nanny state' policy that would cost jobs and force many pubs out of business.
NT
Fracking
The Northern Territory may soon get a sorely needed economic shot in the arm with the government poised to lift its fracking ban in 2018. A $3 million independent inquiry found the risks associated with the controversial gas extraction method could be mitigated to "acceptable levels" if 120 recommendations were implemented in full. The Gunner government continues to feel federal pressure to end its moratorium amid concerns about east coast supply and prices. Labor has repeated its election promise to wait for the final report, due in March, after which it will either ban onshore gas altogether or allow it in tightly prescribed areas and highly regulated circumstances. The 15-month hydraulic fracturing probe's draft final report calls for any prospective shale gas basins to have two- to three-year baseline groundwater studies completed before any production licences are granted. Australia's oil and gas lobby says NT fracking could generate $1 billion in royalty revenue and 6,300 jobs by 2040, but predicts no significant exploration will occur until 2019 amid industry uncertainty. The NT Chamber of Commerce is also concerned recommendations for onerous red and green tape could stifle business investment, which will impact flow-on industries including the construction, transport, retail and public sectors. Traditional owners, particularly around the Beetaloo Basin, which is home to some of the country's most significant untapped reserves, have vocally opposed fracking as they fear it could contaminate pastoral lands, cultural sites and drinking water. Environmental group Lock the Gate Alliance say the reforms won't adequately protect the livelihoods of farmers and tourism workers, noting the potential for accidental spills of fracking chemicals, flowback and produced water.
WA
Labor's challenges in power
Labor are back in to power in Western Australia after eight-and-a-half long years, but promising to fix the state's problems in opposition is much easier than doing it in government and they are facing some challenges in 2018. Labor were elected to fix the state's finances but as they try to do so, are increasingly breaking promises and reversing key decisions. Recently they reversed $23 million worth of education funding cuts after a public outcry, including plans to close the much-loved School of the Air. Last year they similarly backflipped on a decision to move the iconic academically-selective Perth Modern School to a CBD high rise tower and broke a key election promise of no new taxes or increases in existing taxes. There is some praise for them listening to the public, but there are questions about the government's judgment and ability to make tough decisions to fix the finances. Premier Mark McGowan has been involved in a bitter stoush with Perth Lord Mayor Lisa Scaffidi and has called on her to resign over an expenses scandal involving failing to disclose various gifts and travel, including a $36,000 trip to the Beijing Olympics funded by BHP Billiton. When she wouldn't quit, Mr McGowan said he would bring in laws to allow him to sack councillors. The question remains, will Labor follow through on those new laws? The WA government is also cash-strapped, given the record debt and deficit it inherited when elected and there is no sign of a new mining boom. WA's sluggish economy and unemployment above the national average don't help. A lift in the state's GST share from the current level of 34 cents in the dollar to something closer to 100 cents would solve some of Treasurer Ben Wyatt's headaches. This year's release of a Productivity Commission report into reforming the GST system will be crucial. It doesn't help the McGowan government that their federal Labor counterparts don't appear to want change.
