Labor says its night-time economy strategy will prevent young Tasmanians from leaving the state

Tasmanian Labor Party leader Dean Winter has called on the State Government to adopt a night-time economy strategy to support local businesses and create more vibrant and inclusive town centres.

Winter said innovative hotel operators in Hobart, Launceston, Devonport and Burnie were being held back by local government bureaucracy and a lack of confidence.

“(Operators) want to create entertainment areas that young people can enjoy, where people from all walks of life can come and have fun and safely spend time together,” he said.

“But they are stifled and suppressed by the bureaucratic red tape of local authorities.”

Winter said one of Tasmania’s biggest economic challenges was the exodus of young people leaving the state in record numbers.

“Every four days a group of young Tasmanians get on a plane and head to the mainland and we want to stop that,” he said.

“We want to stem the tide of young Tasmanians leaving.”

Labour’s policy would “reduce the bureaucratic burden” on businesses and create night-time economic zones with various restrictions to provide certainty for entrepreneurs.

“I think we can have a really fun and exciting nightlife experience for Tasmania, but we can also do it in a safe way,” he said.

Premier Jeremy Rockliffe says his Government continues to support Tasmania’s hospitality industry with a range of measures.

“We’ve cut a huge amount of red tape … and we’ll do more,” he said.

“We will do this by working hand in hand with Tasmania’s business community, listening to them, seeing what they need to reduce barriers to their businesses, and so we can support them to grow their economy and support and employ more residents Tasmania.”