Tasmania's election: A lacklustre campaign with little policy difference between the major parties

Tasmanians are facing a lackluster election campaign, with politicians failing to inspire or engage in meaningful discussions. The two main parties, Liberals and Labor, have shown little difference in their policies, with the exception of being different parties. The state's financial struggles, including a projected debt of $13 billion in 2026-27, have been a major issue in the campaign. Despite this, the election has been marked by a lack of substance and a focus on technicalities rather than ideas.

Tasmania is limping towards an election that nobody wanted. The state's residents have been slogging through a campaign that has been characterized by a lack of inspiration and meaningful discussions. The two main political parties, the Liberals and Labor, have shown little difference in their policies, with the exception of their respective party affiliations. This lack of substance has been compounded by the state's financial struggles, including a projected debt of $13 billion for the 2026-27 fiscal year.

The election campaign has been marked by a focus on technicalities rather than ideas. The Liberals and Labor have both been cautious with their spending, with the Liberals funding many of their health promises from the existing health budget and Labor relying on a Budget Repair Plan. However, both parties have been criticized for their plans to address the state's financial issues. The Liberals have denied any need to address the budget, while Labor's plan has been met with skepticism due to its lack of credibility and potential savings [1].

The Liberals have attempted to differentiate themselves by announcing TasInsure, a state-owned insurance company, but this policy has been met with criticism due to the lack of modeling and the questionable claim that it would be cost-neutral. Meanwhile, Labor has introduced TassieDocs, a plan to set up government-run GP clinics, which has been criticized for being introduced too late in the campaign. Both policies have been seen as attempts to capitalize on the public's concerns about cost of living, health, and housing, rather than addressing the state's financial struggles [2].

Despite the lackluster campaign, it is clear that the state's financial struggles will continue to be a major issue. The projected debt of $13 billion is a significant concern, and neither party has presented a credible plan to address it. The election is expected to result in another hung parliament, which will require compromise and cooperation from both major parties and the crossbench [2].

In conclusion, Tasmania's election campaign has been marked by a lack of substance and meaningful discussions. The state's financial struggles have been a major issue, but both parties have failed to present credible plans to address them. The election is expected to result in another hung parliament, which will require compromise and cooperation from all parties.