Tasmania Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Management Elise Archer

Fire Recruits Abandoned Again

Victor P Taffa

The Green-Labor Government has again abandoned the state’s emergency services, with newly graduated fire recruits having to wait up to two years to be formally hired, according to Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Management Elise Archer.

“Only three months ago we saw more than 520 applications were received for trainee and experienced fire-fighters*, now not even the few recruits that made it through the last course can get a job.”

“For these 12 recruits to have undergone the grueling training process only to be told there is no job at the end simply because of Green-Labor financial incompetence is farcical.” Ms. Archer said.

“There is no doubt that many of these recruits will be devastated that they will have to wait for up to two years to join the service and could be forced to leave Tasmania to pursue their career.”

“The Green-Labor Government has its priorities completely backward, and as a result, Tasmanians are suffering.”

“In contrast, the Liberals have made our priorities clear – in Government we will put frontline jobs and services first.” Ms. Archer said.

*State Fire Commission Annual Report released late 2011.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer

Archaic Planning Scheme Could See Tasmania Lose Another Major Development

Victor P Taffa

Tasmania could miss out on a $100 Million Buddhist temple development simply because of an outdated and complicated planning system, according to Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer.

“We need to be encouraging development such as this, not continuing to throw up as many hurdles as possible.”

“There is no doubt that this development would deliver many social, cultural and economic benefits to the State that simply cannot be ignored. But it is easy to see why development is stalling when the state’s planning system is in such a mess.” Ms. Archer said.

“That is why, in government, the Liberals’ would implement a single state-wide planning scheme that would get rid of the current 36 planning schemes and also disallow frivolous third-party appeals, as part of our vision to make Tasmania a self-reliant state.”

“This would remove the complexity and uncertainty within the planning process, as well as make Tasmania a more attractive place to do business.” Ms. Archer said.

“But instead of adopting our sensible plan, we are seeing Labor and the Greens sending investment elsewhere.”

“Tasmania needs positive developments like this to proceed so that we can hang out the ‘open for business’ sign– but under the Green-Labor Government, projects will continue to be delayed and investors will continue to be frightened off by needlessly complicated and outdated planning laws.” Ms. Archer said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Environment Matthew Groom

Greens’ Shut-Down Forestry – Now Tourism In Their Sights

Victor P Taffa

The Greens’ anti-everything agenda is on display again and this time it’s a major tourism development in their sights, according to Shadow Minister for Environment Matthew Groom.

“Despite previously supporting the Three Capes Track development, in The Examiner today Tim Morris claims that tourism should be a secondary issue and reiterates the Greens’ view that our national parks should be locked up with no regard for the potential tourism opportunities they offer.”

“This only adds to the farcical claims the Greens have made about the tourism benefits of locking up more forests as a result of the IGA.” Mr. Groom said.

“We are already seeing the consequences of the Greens’ anti-everything stance in Tasmania, with blanket bans on development as well as the disastrous forestry deal that is ripping apart regional communities and trashing the economy. Now they want to destroy tourism as well.”

“The Three Capes Track will not only help showcase Tasmania’s world-class national parks, it will also create much-needed jobs and add to our high quality tourism assets.” Mr. Groom said.

“Tasmania needs to seize these opportunities not destroy them for the sake of a warped ideological agenda as the Greens would have us do.”

“But instead of supporting a high quality tourism development that will showcase our natural assets, the Greens appear more focused on turning Tasmania into one giant, inaccessible national park.”

“Only the Liberals have a plan to see Tasmania stand on its own two feet, with a commitment to grow our tourism and forestry industries, instead of destroying them.” Mr. Groom said.

Tasmania Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein

Brickworks Closure A Blow To The State

Victor P Taffa

The announcement today of the closure of K&D Brickworks is a massive blow for the Tasmanian business industry and the 30 workers at the Hobart site, Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said.

“With the closure attributed in part to a downturn in the building industry and the cost of adhering to environmental regulations, the flow-on effects will only add to the state’s growing economic woes. Business closures of this nature could, and should be avoided if possible.”

“While there were clearly some issues surrounding the location of brickworks in a growing suburb, instead of pandering to her Green colleagues who wanted the brickworks closed, the Premier should have been working with K&D to help them meet their required environmental standards.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“The closure again makes a mockery of the Ms. Giddings’ claims of jobs being a government priority.”

“The only thing the Green-Labor Government is doing in relation to jobs is cutting them – in our schools, in our hospitals and in our Police force.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“As part of the Liberals’ plan to see Tasmania stand on its own two feet, we have already announced a number of policies that would help grow the economy, create jobs and remove the red tape associated with doing business.”

“This would ensure that businesses, such as K&D, are given every chance to succeed and keep Tasmanians in the state.” Mr. Gutwein said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Future Directions – The Importance Of Forestry To Tasmania Becoming More Self-reliant

Victor P Taffa

A strong and growing forest industry is crucial to Tasmania’s future and to the Liberal vision for a self-reliant Tasmania. Today I visited the furniture business of David Mitchell, “Room to Move”, at Cambridge, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said.

“Room to Move is an example not only the importance of small business to the Tasmanian economy, but also the critical importance of forestry.”

“At Room to Move, Mr. Mitchell sells furniture made out of Tasmania’s high quality speciality timbers – yet under the disastrous forest deal, supply of speciality timbers will be at least cut in half, threatening Tasmania’s high-quality furniture industry.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“As demonstrated by business such as Room to Move, Labor’s plan to cut our forest industry in half will not only cost thousands of jobs in the forest industry it will have disastrous flow-on effects right through the economy.”

“In contrast, the Liberal vision is for a self-reliant economy, under-pinned by supporting our key industries such as mining and forestry – not shutting them down.” Mr. Hodgman said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer

Confidence In Property Industry Sliding – Govt Must Adopt Libs’ Planning Scheme

Victor P Taffa

Confirmation that planning is the single greatest government impediment to property investment in Tasmania highlights the need for the Green-Labor Government to adopt the Liberals’ policy on planning reform, according to Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer.

“The Australian Property Council and ANZ survey reveals Tasmania sitting well below the rest of the country in terms of confidence in the property industry – a sign that should send alarm bells ringing to the Green-Labor Government.”

“But instead, Labor and the Greens are again doing whatever they can to drive investment out of the state.” Ms. Archer said.

“As part of the Liberals’ vision to grow Tasmania into a self-reliant state, we have already announced that a Hodgman Liberal Government would implement a single state-wide planning scheme and disallow frivolous third party appeals.”

“This would remove the uncertainty within the planning process, as well as making Tasmania a more attractive place to do business.” Ms. Archer said.

“But instead of adopting our sensible plan, we are seeing Labor and the Greens sending investment elsewhere, and as a result, confidence in the property industry has plummeted.”

“In Government, the Liberals would be seizing every opportunity to create investment in Tasmania. I urge Labor and the Greens to follow.” Ms. Archer said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Green-Labor Govt Must Be Vigilant Over Myrtle Rust Threat

Victor P Taffa

The discovery of the highly destructive Myrtle Rust disease in Victoria raises a number of concerns over the capability of Tasmania’s biosecurity regime, particularly in light of budget pressures, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said.

“The disease, which was first discovered in New South Wales last year, has now spread to Victoria, and poses a serious threat to native forests, vegetation and nurseries.”

“There is no doubt that an outbreak in Tasmania would have disastrous consequences, not only to native vegetation, but also the state’s forest industry.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“The Federal Labor Government has been rightly criticized over their handling of outbreaks in NSW and Victoria, both over the cost of managing outbreaks, as well as their failure to implement a strategy to deal with an outbreak.”

“Tasmania simply cannot afford similar delays, and the Primary Industries Minister needs to reassure Tasmanians that he has the effective barrier processes in place to prevent a disastrous incursion and the proper processes should the worst occur.” Mr. Rockliff said.

The impending myrtle rust threat comes as the Friends of Quarantine again raise concerns about the State’s Quarantine Barrier stating that:

• At least 35 % of air flights into the state are not being checked by quarantine; and
• Both barrier and post-barrier pest and disease surveys are not being undertaken as per protocols, owing to the Quarantine vehicle fleet being cut by 20 %.

“The Liberals’ have already announced that in Government we would abolish the controversial Fox Taskforce and roll the majority of fund into a new, specialized biosecurity division, Biosecurity Tasmania.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“This will provide the much needed increase and focus on biosecurity and quarantine rather than the continued fragmentation and failure to protect our borders as it the case under the Green-Labor Government.”

“I urge the Primary Industries Minister to detail the exactly how the Green-Labor Government will deal with this major impending threat to Tasmania’s biosecurity.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Rockliff

Another Development At Risk Because Of Anti-Development Attitude

Victor P Taffa

Reports today in the Advocate newspaper that a UK based mining company has delayed investment in a job-rich magnesite mine in the Tarkine region because of the threatened Heritage Listing of the Tarkine are deeply concerning, according to Deputy Opposition Leader Jeremy Rockliff.

“Tasmania desperately needs investment and development so we can create jobs and wealth in order to properly fund essential services like health, education and public safety.”

“Mining is one of Tasmania’s cornerstone industries, and contributes more than $30 Million per year to state coffers through royalties. We should be using every effort to expand the industry in the state, not hinder it.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“It’s time for the Green faction of the Government to abandon their anti-mining crusade, and for the Labor faction to start getting serious with Federal Minister Tony Burke and to get him to immediately rule out a Heritage Listing of the Tarkine.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Road Safety Rene Hidding

Libs Call For Automatic Impoundment Of Vehicles

Victor P Taffa

Following reports of a concerning number of disqualified and suspended drivers caught drink driving on Tasmanian roads over the Christmas period, the Liberals renew call for the automatic impoundment of vehicles for detected disqualified and suspended drivers, according to Shadow Minister for Road Safety Rene Hidding.

“In recent years it has been identified that huge numbers of disqualified and suspended drivers have continued to drive with impunity on the state’s roads, with hundreds of drivers caught each year.”

“Under Liberal pressure, the Labor Government previously agreed to automatic impoundment of vehicles for detected disqualified and suspended drivers, however in a weak-kneed back down chose only to make it for the second offence.” Mr. Hidding said.

“This is an appalling message to send to drivers, especially given the fact that disqualified drivers have been ordered by a court of law not to get behind the wheel of a car on the basis that they have proven to be dangerous.”

“For Labor and the Greens to only impound cars on the second offence in no way matches the severity of the behavior undertaken by drivers.”

“There is nothing more important than the safety of Tasmanians and the Liberals will continue to fight to ensure that Tasmanians are safe on the state’s roads.” Mr. Hidding said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Hodgman To Lay Out Future Directions In 2012

Victor P Taffa

After nearly two years of incompetence, instability and economic stagnation it is clear that the Green-Labor experiment has failed Tasmania, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said.

“Tasmania is lacking a government that has a vision or a plan for Tasmania’s future.”

“In 2011 the Liberals’ not only held the incompetent and unstable Labor-Green Government to account, but outlined an agenda with more than a dozen new policies to grow jobs, re-boot the economy and bring the cost of living down.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“Our bold and reformist polices include implementing a single state-wide planning scheme, introducing full retail electricity competition, merging the four water and sewerage corporations into one, and taking all high schools to year 12 within a decade of gaining office.”

“I have also consistently outlined that the Liberal vision is for Tasmania to be a place that is growing and be “open for business”, so that we can generate the wealth and revenue needed to properly fund our hospitals, schools and Police.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“I want Tasmania to proudly stand on its own two-feet and be self-reliant.”

“I do understand that Tasmanians want to hear more about what Tasmania will look like under a majority Hodgman Liberal Government, so in 2012 we will spend more time clearly mapping out our vision and plans for the state – while continuing to vigorously hold the Government to account for its numerous failings.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“We will do this through a combination of “future directions” speeches, statements, and policy announcements, focussing on the key challenges facing Tasmania.”

“I will be releasing the first of these Future Directions statements later this week.” Mr. Hodgman said.