The Treasurer, Michael Aird, has welcomed the immediate positive responses to today’s Budget from credit rating agencies Standard & Poors and Moody’s Investor Services.

“The 2009-10 Budget is a pivotal budget in Tasmania’s history” Mr Aird said.

“It was vital that we achieved a balance between the many competing responsibilities of government.

“I’m very pleased that the Rating Agencies have wasted no time indicating that they see no reason to change their existing assessment of our financial position.”

“This Government has a record of strong financial and economic management.

“We were prepared to make the hard decisions 10 years ago and we are still prepared to make the hard decisions today to deliver the best possible outcome for the Tasmanian community and Tasmania.

“By 2012-13 Tasmania will be the only State or Territory which has a budget surplus and which will have no general government net debt.”

Moody’s Investor Services currently rates Tasmania as AAA and Standard & Poors rates Tasmania as AA+.