The coalition is set to pledge $38m to upgrade Hobart airport in a jobs and growth plan. Source: AAP
OPPOSITION Leader Tony Abbott stepped up his Tasmanian campaign with an offer of a tailor-made plan to boost the state's economy by investing in infrastructure and transport.
As the Liberals target the two key Labor-held Tasmanian seats, Bass and Braddon, Mr Abbott announced the second phase of the coalition's plan to lift the state out of its "dire" circumstances, by spending $438 million upgrading Hobart International Airport and the 176km-long Midland Highway.
He also promised $24 million for a new Centre for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research.
Tasmania has the highest jobless rate in Australia at 8.2 per cent, little economic growth and it's unacceptable that it also has the lowest life expectancy in the country and the lowest average wages, Mr Abbott said.
"Over the last few years, in particular, it really has become pretty dire down here," Mr Abbott told reporters in Launceston in Bass on Thursday.
"Tasmania shouldn't be like this.
"We have a growth plan that has been tailor-made for Tasmania."
Mr Abbott blamed "Labor-Green governments" in Hobart and Canberra for Tasmania's predicament.
The opposition leader pledged $38 million to expand Hobart International Airport and improve its freight and aircraft handling capacity.
An extra 500m of runway would be built and would secure the city as a world centre for Antarctic and Southern Ocean research by providing a gateway to large, heavily-laden aircraft on their way south.
The airport project could create 200 jobs.
The coalition's also promised $400 million to upgrade the Midland Highway.
The initiatives build on last week's $6.5 million announcement to support 2000 long term jobless into work by offering subsidies to businesses.
Earlier in the day, Mr Abbott found himself in a wrangle of words with US singer Katy Perry over his stance on gay marriage.
Mr Abbott was on Sydney radio interviewing Perry who was speaking from the US when the singer turned the tables and started firing questions herself, taking the Liberal leader to task over his opposition to reform of the Marriage Act.
"Look, I love you as a human being but I can't give you my vote," Perry told Mr Abbott.
Mr Abbott used the same interview to nominate Perry's song Hot 'n' Cold as his anthem.
"It's a catchy tune, there are some interesting lyrics," Mr Abbott told reporters in Hobart.
Shadow treasurer Joe Hockey later suggested the song, which begins "you change your mind like a girl changes clothes", was a reference to Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.
"Katy Perry was talking about someone else. Tony was talking about Kevin Rudd," he said.
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