Sharing the latest instalment of our bite-sized reports on how Tasmania and Tasmanian businesses are responding to today’s most pressing issues. Today, we’re looking at how Tasmanians are currently supporting their people and communities.

The Facts:

• Tasmanians are currently investing heavily in health, wellbeing, and community welfare throughout the state
• The growing investment has coincided with a wider state trend of increased scrutiny of community systems and outcomes
• While there is widespread agreement on a need for greater support for people and communities, debate continues as to priorities and approaches

In the past two months, the Tasmanian government has committed $1.4 billion to hospital upgrades, purchased a $16.25 million hotel for healthworker accommodation, and opened a new supported accommodation mental health facility in Claremont.

In the same period, individual Tasmanians cycled 200kms, committed to running 1300km, and promised to push a piano up a mountain to raise money and awareness for mental health.

Ben Cashman, Founder of the Project Lab, says its reflective of a wider trend.

"In my experience, Tasmanians and Tasmanian businesses have never cared more about the wellbeing of their people and communities than right now," says Cashman. "More than anything, we all want to help. The only question is how best to do it."

The trend coincides with an era of increased scrutiny of healthcare and community systems within Tasmania. Tasmanian nurses and midwives have taken industrial action over multiple issues in the last six months.

Across a number of topics, public discussion has typically focused on whether resources are being dedicated to the best approaches and priorities. The Tasmanian branch of the Australian Medical Association recently called for the government to reform tax to better fund healthcare.

Similarly, the government's recent purchase of Fountainside Hotel for healthcare worker accommodation was criticised for allegedly diverting needed funds away from Tasmania's growing homeless population.

"It can be very hard to navigate that landscape. We all have limited resources. We all want to help," says Ben Cashman. "But, I think, if we focus on our direct communities and working together in strategic ways, we can still accomplish incredible things."

"It can be easy to forget that Tasmania is a unique place. We're made up of hundreds of small, interconnected communities. 97% of Tasmanian businesses are small businesses. Fewer than 20 employees each. That's a unique ecosystem for change."

"Because we're Tasmania, it actually may be easier here than anywhere else for each of us to reach out to the little communities around us, connect up, and make things happen."

For business leaders, a needs-informed approach to support can be transformative. What do your staff and their families need right now? What could make their individual lives easier? Hybrid work arrangements, strategic automation, and menstrual leave are just some examples that we've seen make a huge difference. What do you need?

Feel free to reach out to Ben directly at Ben.Cashman@theprojectlab.com to discuss supporting people and communities with your business.

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