Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has pledged to establish permanent timber production zones in Tasmania, aiming to protect forest access and revive regional jobs.
The plan forms a central part of the Coalition’s election pitch of a $124 million regional development package, which Dutton says will reverse “years of neglect” under Labor.
As part of the plan, a $40 million boost to domestic timber manufacturing would cut reliance on imports and strengthen supply chains for housing and construction.
“Tasmania needs a government that backs jobs and industries, not one that puts red and green tape ahead of regional livelihoods,” Dutton said.
Support for Salmon, With Limits
Another key pillar of the Coalition’s Tasmania-focused strategy is its pledge to shore up the state’s embattled salmon industry, which Dutton said is under threat from “catastrophic” Labor-led environmental reviews and bureaucratic delays.
“Salmon farming is a multi-billion-dollar industry. Without aquaculture, mining and agriculture, there are no jobs in the regions,” he said.
The Coalition promises to review import standards for Chilean salmon, citing potential food safety concerns, and introduce country-of-origin labelling requirements for timber and seafood.
The changes aim to give local producers a competitive edge in both domestic and international markets.
Highway Funding Back on the Table
Infrastructure spending is another cornerstone of the Coalition’s Tasmania election push.
Dutton pledged to invest $80 million to add lanes to the Bass Highway between Launceston and Deloraine—reinstating funds that were cut by the Albanese government.
“The Albanese government cancelled or delayed over $30 billion in infrastructure spending,” Dutton said.
“We’re bringing certainty back. This highway is a lifeline for Tasmania’s Northwest—and we’ll deliver what Labor took away.”
The highway commitment follows tensions over federal infrastructure funding models.
In 2024, Labor attempted to shift the traditional 80/20 federal-state funding split to a 50/50 model, sparking backlash from Tasmania’s Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson, who accused Canberra of “bullying” states into unfair deals.
Labor eventually dropped the clause after national pushback.
Scrapping Wind Farms, Extending Mental Health Support
In a move targeting regional and coastal concerns, Dutton also vowed to scrap proposed offshore wind projects in Bunbury, the Hunter, Illawarra, and Victoria’s Southern Ocean.
He said the developments lacked community consultation and threatened local fishing zones.
“These projects have been recklessly imposed. We won’t risk livelihoods for rushed green schemes,” he said.
Addressing the mental health toll in Tasmania’s fishing communities, Dutton announced an additional $2 million to extend the ‘Stay Afloat’ program.
The initiative supports commercial fishers, who face some of the highest mental health risks in Australia—nearly double the national average.
Labor Counters With Medicare, Salmon Law Reform
Labor is defending its track record in Tasmania, pointing to legislation passed with bipartisan support that ensures the continuation of salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour.The law prevents the environment minister from reconsidering long-standing environmental approvals, a move seen as an attempt to shield the industry from legal uncertainty.
“My government makes no apologies for supporting jobs … We also support sustainability, which is why we’ve invested $37 million for sustainability, for oxygenation,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in Parliament, referring to government funding for mitigating environmental risks in Macquarie Harbour.
His government has also selected Senator Anne Urquhart, a veteran campaigner with strong northern Tasmanian ties, as its candidate in the region.
Her selection signals Labor’s intent to hold ground in key rural battlegrounds.
But Labor is banking primarily on health to win votes.
With Tasmania holding the country’s lowest bulk-billing rates, the government has pledged $8.5 billion to make 90 percent of GP visits free of out-of-pocket costs by 2030.
“We know families are struggling. Our Medicare investment is about easing pressure and making health care accessible,” Albanese added.
Labor also faces heat over a spike in illegal fishing.
Jobs, Cost of Living, the Regional Vote
As the campaign heats up, Tasmania is emerging as a critical election battleground.The salmon industry has become a symbolic front in a broader contest about which party truly understands regional needs.
For Dutton, Tasmania is the stage to promote a vision of national revival anchored in local jobs, infrastructure, and traditional industries.
For Labor, it’s a test of whether long-term investments in health and the new reforms can outweigh voter anxiety about regulation and regional neglect.
