Estimates - Premier - Population Strategy
CHAIR - Premier, I want to go to the population strategy. With much fanfare you announced your government's Population Policy in 2024, which was stage 1 of your action plan. The policy emphasises the need to increase the state's population to foster economic growth and improve the standard of living for all Tasmanians.
The Population Policy was going to be overseen by the Department of State Growth and quarterly population snapshots were going to be published. Now, that State Growth will be abolished, which department will be responsible and which minister? Also, why hasn't your government published a quarterly population snapshot since December 2025?
Mr ROCKLIFF - In 2015 we set the very aspirational population target of 650,000 people by 2050. We've continued to deliver on this target by ensuring our economy is strong and we are building the infrastructure needed to support a growing population. In fact, in 2022 we achieved the interim population target of 570,000 people, a full eight years earlier for the target we were aiming for in 2030.
The latest ABS data shows Tasmania's population continues to grow to an estimated 576,659 people as of September 2025. We are growing our population sustainably, targeting growth in young people and skilled working-age residents who can make a contribution to the Tasmanian way of life. Tasmania's population policy, Planning for Our Future, provides a clear long-term plan to attract, retain and support people across all regions. The policy brings together housing, planning, skills, infrastructure and regional development to deliver better outcomes for current and future generations. Supporting young Tasmanians to build their future here is a key priority, alongside attracting new residents to our state.
Ensuring Tasmania is a place where young people and working-age residents, including those looking to establish families and older Tasmanians, can thrive is absolutely critical. Through sustainable population growth, we are supporting our economy and enriching the social fabric of Tasmania. Under the Liberal government, we are ensuring that Tasmania is the best possible place to live, to work and to raise a family. I've spoken about retaining young Tasmanians previously because it relates to our public service. Liveability is the key lever. People stay and move here when there are jobs, housing, childcare, schools, transport and strong local services.
Population change is a shared responsibility requiring coordinated action across state and local government. That's why the Tasmanian government established the Future Populations Network with the Local Government Association of Tasmania to share data, build capability and support locally-led future-focused population planning with councils, key stakeholders and state government working together for a greater outcome. Regarding progress to date, since 3 July 2023 when the stage 1 action plan was released, significant progress has been made across a range of areas to make Tasmania -
CHAIR - Premier, I'm sorry, but that doesn't get to the heart of my question at all, because it's really about who's going to be the minister responsible and why the monitoring of your population data isn't turning up on the website?
Mr ROCKLIFF - I believe it is; the March 2026 edition is up on the website. Mr Ellis -
CHAIR - And Mr Ellis will be responsible?
Mr ROCKLIFF - Yes.
CHAIR - Dr Woodruff, we'll move on. A question from me and it goes to the population strategy as well. Your population goal is for 650,000 people by 2050, and you want to attract young people to the state. Premier, how will this occur with the rental vacancy rate at such record low levels? How will you increase the retention of skilled migrants and their families by supporting the implementation of a simpler, fairer, faster migration system in Australia?
Mr ROCKLIFF - Can I have the last part of the question again?
CHAIR - I wondered how you're going to retain skilled migrants and their families.
Mr ROCKLIFF - Retain them to Tasmania?
CHAIR - Yes.
Mr ROCKLIFF - Firstly, they're welcome to Tasmania, wherever they come from. Migrants to Australia, we welcome them to Tasmania with open arms. And we must provide opportunity for people that come to Tasmania to live here, to work here, to invest here, raise a family. That's why our focus in this Budget is around budget sustainability, but also provide for a growing economy and a caring community. That's why, even though you disagree, we need to ensure we invest in enabling infrastructure, whether it's enabling infrastructure in our visitor economy through the two new ships and through our new port infrastructure; enabling opportunity through the stadium project at Mac Point as well -
CHAIR - Yeah, but what about the housing issue, which was the first part of my question?
Mr ROCKLIFF - and also through the Dowsing Point opportunity and looking at that surplus defence land as well.
CHAIR - It's a long way away.
Mr ROCKLIFF - Through the reforms in planning. But over the next four years, we've got $900 million in housing to ensure we continue to deliver, to your point. This investment will continue to put roofs over people's heads, provide support across the spectrum of housing. Also investment in crisis accommodation, social and affordable housing or, indeed, supporting Tasmanians into owning their own home. The latest report on government services showed strong results for Tasmania across both housing and homelessness services. Tasmania continues to lead the nation in social housing growth, with an 11.2 per cent increase since 2020 - an additional 1547 dwellings, averaging around 300 new homes each year. We know there's more work to do and that is why the '26-27 Budget continues to provide investment right across the housing spectrum.