Tasmania Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff

One Senior Bureaucrat Could Save Hospital In The Home

Victor P Taffa

The axing of one senior bureaucrat within the Health Department could save the Hospital in the Home program following revelations by Michelle O’Byrne yesterday that the closure of the program will save $175,000, Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said.

“It is simply outrageous that this government would even think about axing such a vital program, given the negative impacts that will be felt by all users, for a saving of $175,000.”

“Recent figures obtained by the Liberals show that while the Government is axing valuable frontline programs, there are 280 FTEs in the backrooms of the Health Department on salaries ranging from $80,000 to $300,000.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“The Government has already admitted that of cuts made so far, for every one job cut at the backline in health, two are going in the frontline.”

“The simple fact is, any saving made by axing the program is a false economy anyway, given the findings of a 2011 Deloitte Access Economics report that showed that Hospital in the Home was on average 22 % more cost effective that treating patients in a hospital.”

“For the Minister to dismiss this report demonstrates how willing she is to bury her head in the sand.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“Instead of cutting vital and much-needed services like Hospital in the Home, Labor and the Greens should be pruning the backline to ensure quality health care can be delivered to Tasmanians that need it.”

“The Liberals have already announced nearly $200 Million in alternative savings that could, and should be made protect frontline services.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Libs Back Calls On Hemp

Victor P Taffa

The Liberals today backed calls by the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association to streamline bureaucratic process associated with the production of industrial hemp and urged the Labor-Green Government to be more positive and proactive towards this opportunity, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said.

“We have long said that a majority Hodgman Liberal Government would take the necessary steps, including removing hemp from the poisons list to support the production of industrial hemp in Tasmania.”

“The use of hemp by farmers has the potential to provide an important new opportunity for the state’s primary industries sector, and a much-needed boost to our ailing economy.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“But red tape currently associated with growing the crop is severely restricting what could be a profitable new industry for the state’s farmers.”

“The lax approach taken so far by Labor and the Greens to growing and advancing the industry is all too typical of their desire to keep the ‘closed for business’ sign up in Tasmania.”

“We should be looking to grow industry and our economy so that we can create jobs and revenue – not looking for ways to stymie growth, as Labor and the Greens are.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“The industrial hemp industry in Tasmania has the potential to be beneficial for our rural economy and it is time that Labor and the Greens took a positive and proactive approach to growing the industry.”

“The Liberals will continue to work with the TFGA and farmers to ensure that this is an industry that has a strong future in Tasmania, and I strongly urge Labor and the Greens to do the same.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer

Another Parliament Square Appeal Highlights Need For The Liberals’ Planning Reform

Victor P Taffa

It is disappointing to hear that there has been yet another appeal regarding the $100 Million Parliament Square project by the Save 10 Murray Street group– this time to the Supreme Court from the decision of RMPAT, Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer said.

“The two development proposals have now been to the Sullivan’s Cove Waterfront Authority twice, RMPAT twice, the Supreme Court twice and the Heritage council has also approved the respective applications twice – over a two year period.”

“No wonder people think Tasmania is closed for business when our planning process is in such a mess and riddled with delays.” Ms. Archer said.

“Under the Liberals’ planning reforms, frivolous third party appeals such as the ones that continue to delay the Parliament Square project wouldn’t be allowed – a policy that it appears even Labor’s candidate for Hobart supports. We need to encourage sensible development, not throw up as many hurdles as possible.”

“Tasmania needs positive developments like Parliament Square to go ahead so that we can show investors that Tasmania is open for business – 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 Police and Emergency Management Elise Archer

Minister’s Priorities Warped Over Speed Camera Operators

Victor P Taffa

Comments made today by the David O’Byrne that automating speed cameras “will not send the wrong message to lead-footed Tasmanian motorists” shows how out of touch he is as Police Minister, according to Shadow Minister for Police and Emergency Management Elise Archer.

“There is absolutely no doubt that high visibility civilian-operated speed cameras act as a major deterrent to dangerous driving on our roads, which is reinforced by the Tasmania Police’s ‘high-visibility Policing strategy’.”

“If the Minister’s answer to reining in spending is to remove the human element from speed camera operation, then it is just further proof of just how out of touch he is.” Ms. Archer said.

“Removing the human element and high-visibility policing strategy from speed camera operation is another example of how the safety of Tasmanians is being put at risk simply because of Green-Labor budget mismanagement.”

“The Liberals have raised this issue in Parliament on numerous occasions since the Minister’s savage budget cuts were announced, and we will continue to fight for the safety of Tasmanians on our roads.” Ms. Archer said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Tourism Will Hodgman

Now Tourism Industry In Recession Too – Hodgman Offer To Work With Gov’t Access Group

Victor P Taffa

This week we saw the state’s ailing economy go into recession – now is appears the tourism industry has gone down the same path, with two successive quarters of negative growth, Shadow Minister for Tourism Will Hodgman said.

“The Tourism Tasmania figures released yesterday showed that in the 12 months to September, 51,000 fewer people visited the state than the same period last year, with people also choosing to spend less time and money in the state. This 6 % decline follows a 2 % decline in the June quarter.”

“This alarming slump in tourism activity must be sending loud alarm bells to the Green-Labor Government that urgent action are now critical.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“As I have often said, my vision for Tasmania is to grow our cornerstone industries, and I am willing to work with the Minister and the recently developed ‘access working group’ to develop strategies that will strongly support and grow tourism.”

“The Liberals have already announced a plan to reboot our tourism industry, including by investing $3.8 Million in a new Events and Economic Stimulus program, and making Tourism Tasmania more effective by separating it from the bureaucracy.”

“Access to the state is currently a critical challenge that the Government cannot afford to fail. I look forward to hearing the Minister’s response to my offer to work with the access working group.” Mr. Hodgman said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Racing Mark Shelton

Tas Racing Financial Crisis Highlights Folly Of TOTE Fire-Sale

Victor P Taffa

Confirmation in Estimates yesterday that Tas Racing will next week meet with Treasury to discuss ways of remaining financially viable highlights the folly of the Government’s fire-sale of the TOTE, according to Shadow Minister for Racing Mark Shelton.

“Tas Racing also confirmed yesterday that it will continue to ask the Government to repay the debts it has incurred against the $40 Million Tascorp loan facility.”

“Taxpayers are now forking out not only $30 Million a year for racing, but also millions of dollars in debt repayments on this $40 Million loan – with no offsetting income stream as a result of the fire-sale of the TOTE.” Mr. Shelton said.

“It is clear that the TOTE sale means that it will become even harder for the racing industry to stand on its own two feet.”

“The Liberals believe that rather than fire-selling the TOTE, it should have been retained, turned into a profit-making business, and those funds used to fund Government investment in the racing industry.”

“Yesterday’s revelations were just more evidence that the sale was nothing more than a cash-grab by a Green-Labor Government in order to plug its budget black-hole, with no regard for how it would impact on the future viability of the racing industry in Tasmania.” Mr. Shelton said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Where’s The Money, Minister?

Victor P Taffa

In Tasmanian Irrigation Estimates yesterday, the Primary Industries Minister admitted that he has doubts about the success of rolling-out the all of the state’s planned irrigation schemes. Bryan Greens’ frank admission that “the funds allocated at the moment would not probably be enough to commit to all 13 schemes on the initial drawing board” is further evidence of Labor and the Greens’ failure to manage money, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“These schemes were meant to provide certainty to rural communities and farmers across the state, but the Minister delivered anything but certainty yesterday.”

“Has the Minister known all along that the initial $80 Million committed by the State Government wouldn’t be enough to successfully roll out the 13 schemes? And if it isn’t, which schemes will miss out?”

“The Liberals strongly support the development of irrigation infrastructure, and the benefits this will bring to rural communities.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“But the Labor-Green Government needs to ensure Tasmanians that prudent financial management of irrigation projects will be the number one priority so that the required funds are available to progress and commission the schemes as soon as possible.”

“Tasmanian farmers and our regional communities cannot afford a single dollar of taxpayer funds wasted as has happened time and time again as a result of Green-Labor financial mismanagement.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Green-Labor Arrogance On Farmer Appointment Go-Slow

Victor P Taffa

During Tasmanian Irrigation Estimates yesterday, the Primary Industries Minister admitted that it could be at least another six months before a Tasmanian Irrigation director with hands-on farming experience is appointed, according to Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff.

“Despite Legislation being passed in May specifically stating that a Director with farming experience would be appointed, farmers are still waiting.”

“We know that Tasmanian Irrigation and the Green-Labor Government resisted this position strongly, but at the end of the day, an amendment was put into the legislation to include a director with farming experience.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“It is the absolute height of Labor-Green arrogance that it will most likely be a full 12 months following the passing of legislation before such a position is filled.”

“Given the Minister admitted yesterday that the funds to develop irrigation projects are drying up, input from a director with farming experience and resourcefulness is likely to be sorely needed.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding

O’Byrne Must Provide Certainty To Midland Farmers

Victor P Taffa

Infrastructure Minister David O’Byrne must immediately reassure Northern Midlands’ residents that he has a plan for verges on the Midland Highway in the lead-up to the bush fire season, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Rene Hidding said today.

“We know from past fire events that the region is vulnerable to fire activity, with an extensive build-up of flammable growth along the verges.”

“Many residents were traumatized by the Epping Forest fire in recent years, which devastated many kilometres of fencing, pasture and trees.” Mr. Hidding said.

“There is no doubt that this was a result of the Government’s failures to adequately manage the verges.”

“The Green-Labor Government has a responsibility to reduce the fire risk on its land, and this is a responsibility it has shirked in the past, with devastating results.”

“I call on the Minister to immediately assure residents that he has a plan to tackle the issue at hand. I will be watching the progress on this issue very closely.” Mr. Hidding said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Mining Adam Brooks

Locking-Up The Tarkine Won’t Grow The Mining Industry

Victor P Taffa

Yesterday’s announcement of the impending closure of the Beaconsfield gold mine strengthens the Liberals’ calls to grow mining on the West and North-West Coasts, not lock it up, according to Shadow Minister for Mining Adam Brooks.

“If we want to grow a sustainable mining industry in Tasmania, locking up the Tarkine – a major aim of Nick McKim and his Green colleagues – isn’t the answer.” Mr. Brooks said.

“With 150 workers from the Beaconsfield mine to be displaced following its closure, Tasmania is at great risk of losing vital skills and expertise to other states.”

“Once these workers and their families leave the state, they may never return.” Mr. Brooks said.

“And if the Greens succeed in locking-up the Tarkine, we will see the loss of new mines which will spell the decline and eventual end of the mining industry as old operations close.”

“The Green-Labor Government needs to make sure that it is doing everything possible to grow the mining industry on the North-West and West Coast of the state, including the Venture Minerals project at Mt Lindsay, rather than locking up the whole area.”

“The Liberals’ strongly support the mining industry and we will continue to advocate for it and against the push for further lock-ups.” Mr. Brooks said.