Tasmania must make a full transition to a clean, green and clever economy and become a world leader and a centre of excellence for industries. We recognise that the health of our economy is underpinned by the health of our environment, that further investment in education is vital to securing economic gains, and that a pristine environment forms a core part of Tasmania’s brand and is a key strategic advantage.

Tasmania has a small, decentralised population, an enviable lifestyle, highly successful niche products, a good communications network, GE-Free agriculture and a thriving tourism industry. The Greens pioneered the ‘clean, green’ concept, which is now internationally recognised, and have led the way in defining what a knowledge-based, ‘clever’ economy will look like.

Historically, Tasmania’s economic prosperity has been largely dependent on the exploitation of our natural resources, relying on heavy industry, mining, forestry, increasingly outmoded and unprofitable farming methods, and hydro-industrialisation. We can no longer compete in crowded, undifferentiated, low value, high volume commodity markets, especially with our small population size, distance from markets and increasing transport costs. The ‘old’ economy was environmentally destructive, reliant on government subsidies and progressive job shedding. It was subject to the whims of interstate and overseas interests, and lacking in coherent and sustainable development strategies. As ‘new’ economy industries have emerged, conflict is occurring with ‘old’ industries which undermine and compromise promising new directions. Recent development proposals promoted by government continue to anchor Tasmania to an ‘old’ industrial structure more suited to a developing rather than a developed economy.

The Greens’ strategy is to harness and increase the knowledge, skills and ingenuity of the Tasmanian people, value and reward their participation in the economy, and attract innovative new business to the state. Tasmania must be fully equipped to compete in the marketplace of knowledge, skills and emerging technologies. We aim for higher value adding per person on a sustainable basis, within a highly focussed development strategy which makes clearer choices about desirable future industries, reduces waste, and promotes Tasmania as a centre of innovative, sustainable business.

The Tasmanian Greens will ensure the necessary infrastructure for transport, communication, education and training, and for cooperative and industry cluster initiatives. Our vision of the central economic role of government is as a catalyst in the transition from older, wasteful, polluting and energy-consuming forms of production to clean, green and clever industries that flourish in an atmosphere of competitive advantage.

Measures

Environment:  protect and promote the state’s wilderness, natural environment and cultural treasures to attract strategically important businesses; set environmental targets that lead the world in reducing the environmental impacts of industry; assist businesses to move into clean production methods and to reduce their use of harmful chemicals

Leading Edge Technologies:  conduct a thorough brand value analysis and implement strategies to protect and enhance our clean, green brand; recognise that ‘pristine’ is at the heart of Tasmania’s brand;  support the deployment of new technology in Tasmania for communication, transport and other emerging technologies through dynamic regulatory assistance from, and partnerships with, state instrumentalities;  subject new technologies to risk review and risk management, with the application of the precautionary principle;  ensure we remain completely GE-free in agricultural production

Education and Training:  prioritise increased expenditure on, and strategic planning for, education and training;  address low school retention rates and the lack of a training ethic amongst business management; establish training centres in strategic industries, including wine making, cheese making, information technology, environmental management and tourism;  introduce new courses and raise existing qualification standards;  continually upgrade IT infrastructure and training, especially in learning institutions;  ensure that skills in strategic industries and services are captured and retained in Tasmania;  promote mentor schemes to provide skill transfer from experienced practitioners to those commencing new business ventures or training; assist industry transition, identify and develop opportunities for upgrading skills and retraining of workers in ‘old’ economy industries, and manage redeployment opportunities

Networks:  encourage industry clusters and innovative alliances;  ensure opportunities for symbiotic ventures including the use of waste products from one venture as a resource for another, adding positive environmental benefits, reducing waste, and improving our brand image;  foster production and marketing cooperatives;  develop group employer networks; develop and implement standardised, specific branding and marketing strategies in a cooperative way

Small Business:  support the establishment and growth of a wide diversity of small businesses that bring jobs and innovation to the economy; facilitate new business initiatives and ensure affordable access to broadband internet services; strengthen business regulation to protect the environment, consumers and social justice; support community involvement with innovative solutions to regulatory requirements; cut tax imposts on small business; remove stamp duties on insurance

Economic Performance:  move away from a reliance on crude numerical growth indicators of economic success, and establish alternative criteria for the assessment of economic performance