TasFarmers, Media Release, 6 November 2025

TasFarmers says the 2025-26 State Budget is “what it is”, steady and without surprises, with no new taxes and no change to agricultural policy. TasFarmers says the budget highlights the need for stronger leadership and meaningful reform to safeguard the state’s productive economy.

While total government expenditure is forecast at $10.5 billion and the Net Operating Budget deficit sits at $1 billion, TasFarmers says the focus must now turn to the fundamentals of reducing the cost of doing business, cutting red and green tape, and building on the pathway back to surplus.

“This is not a time to play politics. We need the adults in the room thinking about Tasmania, not themselves,” TasFarmers President Ian Sauer said.

“We’ve got to cut away the anchors to the economy and slim down the number of bureaucrats.”

Mr Sauer said the state needs long-term, strategic thinking to bring spending under control and support the sectors driving growth.

“For Tasmania’s long-term prosperity, the productive side of the economy must be free to operate. That means reducing costs and removing unnecessary hurdles.”

TasFarmers has also renewed its call for Government Business Enterprises reforms that focus on long-term Key Performance Indicators, not just financial, but also environmental and social outcomes.

“We’ve been strong on the need for reform, but this is not reform if it just means cutting. We need longer-term KPIs that measure social and regional outcomes, not just short-term balance sheet metrics,” Mr Sauer said.

He said government reform cannot be ignored, pointing to unnecessary duplication and delays in areas such as licensing, dam permits, tractor training, and the ability to build homes on farm properties.

“It’s time to streamline licences, simplify dam permits, and let people build where they live and work. We want to see less bureaucracy and more common sense,” said Mr Sauer.

“It’s not just the state service that needs radical reform, but also local government. They all need to have a major focus on efficiencies for taxpayers. Which of course, will reduce the cost of doing business, not only across agriculture but throughout the broader business sector.

“Business and industry need certainty to make decisions and invest for the long term. This is not the time to burden agriculture and business with hurdles. We are the productive side of the ledger, and it should be easier to do business, not harder,” said Mr Sauer.

TasFarmers says it will continue to engage constructively with the Government to pursue reforms that build confidence, reduce costs, and help Tasmania’s productive economy thrive.

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