Hiding behind reviews not real action on TFES

"12 months ago no one in Canberra was even talking about the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme. Businesses have been banging their heads against the wall for years but no one was listening. My Senate inquiry put TFES on the agenda and businesses will be better off because of that."

Senator Tyrrell says that while it’s great both parties have finally acknowledged the TFES, the commitment to review the scheme isn’t enough.

"It’s easy for the major parties to hide behind reviews with no real promises of reform. That’s why I’ve called for strong changes to the scheme right now. Changing the way payments are distributed, including air freight in the scheme, having staff in Tassie to help local businesses and changing the scheme to sit under one government department, not two.

"The more freight costs, the more everything costs. If Labor and the Liberals want to help Tasmanians in a cost of living crisis, they’ll commit to real changes for this scheme right now."

*Senator Tyrrell's comments come off the back of Labor's election commitment today of a review of the scheme and interim financial support while the review is happening.