Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Bartlett’s Vision Fails to Deliver

Victor P Taffa

As the Food continues to tumble out of Tasmania Premier David Bartlett’s Food Bowl, the sheer incompetence of this Labor-Green Government has again been realised.  This time it’s in the form of an inaccurate, error-ridden brochure intended to promote and encourage investment to Tasmania.

“The Tasmania Delivers Agriculture Brochure, aimed at attracting famers and big agricultural business to the state incorrectly lists property on the North West Coast of the State valued at $13 Billion, while rainfall in the Midlands is listed as being higher than the North West Coast.” Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“For years, this Government has been harping on about the importance of making Tasmania the Food Bowl of the nation, yet this embarrassing brochure is just further evidence of a Government that is so incompetent and so out of touch that it cannot even get a simple Brochure to encourage investment and jobs right.”

“It beggars belief as to why the Premier would try and attract interstate and international agricultural business with a rushed, inaccurate document that lacks credibility, when his Government is clearly struggling to connect with Tasmanian Farmers.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“Primary Industries in Tasmania is struggling. Tasmanian Exports of Dairy and Food has slumped, our vegetable processing industry is going through tough times, and many farmers are battling to make ends meet.”

“What farmers in Tasmania want is a far more concentrated effort from the Labor-Green Government in securing their future. If the Premier is going to make a big noise about attracting interstate or international farmers to Tasmania, he should, at the very least, be able to provide a simple document promoting Tasmania’s advantage that should be accurate without question.”

“A concern of mine for sometime has been the lack of focus due to a disjointed effort when it comes to Food Production and Food Marketing in Tasmania.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“This brochure highlights the complete and utter lack of communication between the marketing arm of food production in Tasmania, being the Department of Economic Development and Tourism, and the production arm of food in Tasmania, being the Department of Primary Industries.”

“This example of complete and utter incompetence is why Tasmania is going backwards in its economic activity and jobs growth.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff

Call for Moratorium on Seismic Testing

Victor P Taffa

The Tasmanian Liberals today reiterated our call for an immediate Moratorium on all seismic testing in Bass Strait over known Scallop Beds until the effects are fully understood, to ensure that this iconic Tasmanian Industry is not completely wiped out.

“Reports today that further seismic testing is scheduled to be carried out in Bass Strait early next year have the potential to seriously damage the already struggling Scallop Industry in Tasmania.” Tasmania Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“Speculation that two further tests are to be carried out between January and March begs the question, what exactly has Minister for Primary Industries been doing for the past month? Why has he failed to deliver, when he said he would?”

“In true Labor-Green style, Minister Green was the first person to come out and get his face on TV when the issue of seismic testing came to light in early November, yet since then he has remained silent while the industry continues to suffer.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“This further cruel blow to the Tasmanian Seafood Industry comes only days after an import ban were placed on Tasmanian Rock Lobsters entering China, leaving many of the State’s Fishermen with thousands of tonnes of produce, and nowhere to sell it.”

“Given that Mr Green was clearly aware of the concerns previously expressed by scallop fishermen, he should be standing up for Tasmania and vigorously arguing that there should be no more seismic testing over known scallop beds until we know for sure that it is safe.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“The Minister can sit back and pledge his support to the Industry all he likes, but the cruel fact remains that Millions of Dollars of Produce is at risk of being damaged every day while the Minister fails to act.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein

Two Economic Elephants In The Room

Victor P Taffa

As expected, Lara Giddings first speech as Treasurer was a complete flop, awash with bland statements and full of hand wringing about the challenges ahead.

“I guess we should be pleased that by announcing her so called four pillars she at least has some form of understanding of the territory her Portfolio covers.” Shadow Treasurer Peter Gutwein said today.

What the new Treasurer completely failed to explain was how she is going to deal with the two elephants in the room – the $300 Million Budget Black Hole and a looming recession.

“We have a budget black hole and our economy is headed for one as well. So what is urgently needed from this new Treasurer is the strategy she intends to employ to arrest the decline that her government has overseen and of which she has been a part.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“Sadly, it sounds like Lara Giddings won’t be tackling the big issues any time soon and our economy will suffer as a result.” Mr. Gutwein said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Corrections Vanessa Goodwin

Ron Barwick Maximum Security Prisoner Escape

Victor P Taffa

The Escape of a dangerous maximum security prisoner from the re-commissioned Ron Barwick Prison is a disturbing development coming at the end of a trouble-plagued year for the Minister for Corrections.

“The Prisoner who escaped has an extensive criminal history and no doubt the community will be extremely alarmed that he was able to exit the prison grounds and enter the nearby suburb of Risdon Vale.” Vanessa Goodwin Shadow Minister for Corrections said today.

While the Tasmanian Liberals praise the efforts of Tasmania Police, who were able to track down and arrest the prisoner within one hour of his escape, this is an incident that should not have been allowed to occur in the first place.

“Mr. McKim must reassure Tasmanians that the Ron Barwick Prison is now secure and that there will not be any further escapes from this facility. He also needs to inform the community when the repairs to the defective cells will be completed and the prisoners transferred back to the maximum security facility.” Ms. Goodwin said.

These repairs should have been finalised by now and it simply isn’t good enough that the timelines for completion keep being extended. Clearly the community is being placed at risk and this is totally unacceptable.  

“The Labor-Green Government has a responsibility to ensure that the community is protected from dangerous criminals and this must be a priority for Mr. McKim. As the Corrections Minister he is ultimately responsible for Risdon Prison and he cannot simply blame others for his failings.” Ms. Goodwin said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Labor-Green Forestry Plan: Close The Industry Without Any Compensation?

Victor P Taffa

Tasmania Premier David Bartlett must say how the Statement of Principles can proceed, given that the Federal Government has ruled out providing any financial assistance to implement it.

Labor have already abandoned the industry and jobs to appease the Greens, now it appears their Federal colleagues are doing the same.

“Labor and the Greens are now effectively saying that not only will you lose your businesses and jobs, but that you won’t get compensation for doing so.” Will Hodgman Opposition Leader said today.

How could David Bartlett have put his support behind this set of principles without getting any assurances from his Federal colleagues?

“It just shows how much David Bartlett is captive to Nick McKim and the Greens’ Anti-Forestry Agenda.” Mr. Hodgman said.

And it adds to the confusion and crippling uncertainty for the industry and timber workers, who must by now be wondering just exactly what David Bartlett has got them into.

In contrast, the Liberal’s balanced, 13-Point Plan provides a clear path for the Forest Industry, providing job security for timber workers and their Regional Communities, as well as improving environmental outcomes.

On top of this, it can be implemented without the hundreds of Millions of Dollars required under the Statement of Principles.

“I urge Mr. Bartlett to show some ticker, stand up to Green Leader Nick McKim, and do the right thing by Tasmania’s Forest Industry and their communities by adopting the Liberals’ 13-Point Plan.” Mr. Hodgman said.

THE LIBERAL’S 13-POINT PLAN FOR TASMANIA’S FOREST INDUSTRY

1. Jobs and Regional Communities Come First;

 While the Liberals support improved environmental outcomes, regional jobs and Regional communities must not be sacrificed on the altar of political self-interest;

 2. Government Must take a Leadership Role;

Government should not out-source the future of our state-owned resource to an unelected group of Big Business, Big Environment and Big Union;

3. A full socio-economic and environmental study should be undertaken;

Science should drive decisions, not politics. A full socio-economic and environmental study of any proposed changes must be undertaken before the changes are made. This should be undertaken by a credible third party with an understanding of Tasmania;

4. Native forest harvesting in Tasmania should continue for perpetuity;

Our native forests are an asset which can and should be managed for all their values into perpetuity – including harvesting. It makes no sense to lock up our native forests to deal with short-term adjustment and commercial imperatives, and instead cover our productive farmland with monoculture plantations;

5. Up to 150,000 hectares of high conservation value forests, including old growth forests such as the Styx, Weld Valley, and Florentine can be locked up;

Following the commercial decision of Gunns to end native forest harvesting, once resource supply, including room for growth, is secured for the remaining operators, it is expected that some of Gunns sawlog allocation can be retired. This means that most of our remaining old growth forest can be preserved and protected (apart from a specific and small speciality timbers resource), as identified through the socio-economic and environmental study;

6. All discussions must be open and transparent;

Dialogue and development of practical solutions should be between all stakeholders in an open and transparent process, with strict timelines;

7. There must be minimal State Public expenditure;

The State Government should not be in the business of buying out forestry industry jobs. However, exceptions may need to be made for forest contractors who continue to suffer from reduced volumes;

8. Private forest operations must not be compromised;

Private forests contribute annually between 30-40 % of Tasmania’s native forest production, and are a critical part of our future forest industry;

 9. A new 20-year rolling RFA should be negotiated with the Federal Government;

The final outcome should be formalised in a new, 20 year rolling Regional Forest Agreement to ensure ongoing resource security and investment; 

10. We can have a pulp mill and native forest harvesting too;

 Tasmania can have a pulp mill and native forest harvesting. We don’t need to and shouldn’t exchange our existing forestry jobs and their communities for a plantation feed pulp mill, which will add value and local jobs to our lowest value, commodity (woodchip) resource;

 11. Comprehensive and properly funded forest management strategies need to be developed;

 If we are going to reserve more forest, it needs to be properly managed, not allowed to turn into a bushfire time-bomb;

12. Alternative uses for wood-waste need to be seriously examined;

As well as woodchip exports, alternative wood waste uses such as biomass and biofuel need to be seriously examined;

 13. Innovation, research and development must drive our forest industry.

 The industry must continue to invest in innovation, research and development in order to remain competitive and add maximum value to our forest resource. As part of this, the Government should consider establishing a Forestry School of Excellence, and should continue to support the Forestry CRC.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer

Planning Directive = More Talk, Not Action

Victor P Taffa

Calls today by the Housing Industry Association, Master Builders Association and the Property Council of Australia for the State Government to introduce a single Residential Planning Code should not be ignored.

The Tasmanian Liberals echo the calls of industry groups for a show of leadership on this issue. The Government should cease talking about the issue and act.

We are approaching one year since then Planning Minister David Llewellyn announced that Labor agreed with the Tasmanian Liberals’ Policy that there would be a move to a Statewide Residential Planning Code.

“Minister for Planning, Bryan Green, and the Labor-Green government, need to show leadership. Following consultation with industry it is clear there is absolutely no reason why the State Government can’t show leadership and act now.” Elise Archer Shadow Minister for Planning said today.

Additionally, with both the Liberals and presumably the Greens still supporting a Statewide Residential Planning Code, there should be nothing standing in the government’s way of acting on this vital issue. 

“Minister Green should announce that he will introduce such a Code as soon as the Parliament resumes.” Ms. Archer said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Education Michael Ferguson

Thorp Must Come Clean Over EO Appointments

Victor P Taffa

Less than a month before the latest Polytechnic and Academy reforms come into effect, the Department of Education is yet to announce who will replace outgoing Chief Executive Officers Belinda McLennan and Mike Brakey.

“With changes to the legislation passed through Parliament almost two months ago, and the so called ‘evolved model’ finalised almost six months ago, this is just another poor display by Minister for Education, Lin Thorp, and her failing Education Department.” Michael Ferguson Shadow Minister for Education said today.

Despite internal sources indicating that the Education Department has already figured out who will act in the positions, it is clear that the Government won’t have the matter properly resolved in time for the introduction of the changes on January 1. 

The incredibly late advertisement (25 November) together with the breathtakingly short period within which applications had to be lodged (3 December) leave the Opposition with an enormous sense of suspicion as to what is going on.

With Ms. Thorp announcing in October that the two CEOs would no longer have a job after the restructure and the new positions not advertised until 25 November, the Minister must come clean over why it took the Government so long to even advertise the position, or were preferred candidates selected for the role even before the announcement of the departure of Ms. McLennan and Mr. Brakey?

“With only 25 days until the reforms come into effect, and staff ready to go on leave, Minister Thorp must also explain what the Government plans to do until the new Executive Officers are appointed.” Mr. Ferguson said.

Will they employ people in acting roles and if so how much will it cost the Tasmanian tax payer? Many Tasmanians will simply find it bizarre that the Government did not choose to retain Ms. McLennan and Mr. Brakey for the remaining period of their contracts – something that would have cost the Government significantly less.

With the list of unanswered questions and bungled processes growing by the day, this Government, and the clearly incompetent Minister has a lot to answer for.

“This display of tardiness will do nothing to instill confidence within the education community that the Government has learned anything from their failed education experiments, which in the past have gone so wrong.” Mr. Ferguson said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Human Services Jacquie Petrusma

International Day for People with Disabilities

Victor P Taffa

The State Opposition today calls on all Tasmanians to celebrate and recognise the lives of people living with a disability, and the important role they play in our community.

“The day is an important annual occasion for all Tasmanians, not only to take time out to celebrate and reflect on the abilities of people living with a disability, but also, how we can work to make their lives better or easier.” Jacquie Petrusma Shadow Minister for Human Services said today.

International Day for People with Disabilities is a day on which to note the importance of international human rights and conventions, which are two instruments used to protect both the rights and dignity of people living with disabilities throughout the world, and here in Tasmania.

Australia is signatory to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, where we are required to promote, protect and ensure the full enjoyment of human rights by people living with a disability.

These rights include respect, non-discrimination, equality, accessibility and freedom to make choices.

Living with a disability should not have to be a constant struggle to achieve basic care needs, including support and equipment. It should not be about waiting lists and fighting to get by.

“To achieve this, we need a Government that is willing to stand up for Tasmanians living with a disability. Tasmania has a long way to go in ensuring that people living with a disability are treated as fair and equal. We need a Government that is committed to doing everything they can to ensure that that people are given the best chance of living a happy and healthy life.” Ms. Petrusma said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Planning Elise Archer

36 Schemes, 12 Months, and No Plan

Victor P Taffa

After years of promises the Government has completely failed to fix our Residential Planning system. We still have a staggering 36 different Schemes run by 29 Different Councils.

“At a time when we can least afford it, this planning mess is like a handbrake on our economy.  The building industry is vital to Tasmania and the Government’s lack of action is choking the very industry that could help turn our economy around.” Elise Archer Shadow Minister for Planning said today.

With this sort of Government inertia and inaction, no wonder some commentators are suggesting Tasmania is heading for recession.

Unfortunately, the Planning Minister, Bryan Green, either has been swamped by all his other ministerial responsibilities or has put planning last, or he simply doesn’t understand the problems he is creating by failing to do anything.

Michael Ferguson Bass MHA

Silt Petition Calls on Government to Act Now

Victor P Taffa

The Tasmanian Liberals are calling on the State Government to finally act and clean up the Tamar River after years of inaction.

Our petition calling on the State Government to immediately provide the $1 Million promised to the Launceston Flood Authority to recommence the dredging of the Tamar River has received tremendous support so far and I would encourage everyone who wants to see the Tamar silt problem fixed to sign it.

The Petition also calls on the Government to recommit to its 2010 Election Promise to provide $6 Million to establish a Program to remove the excessive silt, and to continue an annual maintenance dredging Program.

Continued inaction by the Labor-Green Government is affecting not only the appearance of the River, but also the accessibility for rowers and tourism operators, and the ability of the syncrolift to confidently run its business.

The Tamar River has the potential to be a great asset to Launceston, attracting greater development, investment and encouraging community pride, but we need a Government that is prepared to work to protect the Tamar.

It is vital that the State and Federal Government provide for continual improvement in catchment management techniques to minimise where possible, the amount of silt flowing into Home Reach.

For too long, this Labor-Green Government has ignored the issues involving the Tamar, no doubt in the hope that the problem will go away. It won’t. We need a Government that is prepared to act now. 

Unfortunately, the Government has used stalling techniques which is contributing to further degradation of the River.  When the community campaign was at a climax in August this year, the Premier announced an immediate injection of $1 Million to get on with urgent dredging.  The Government has made a mockery of itself and the importance of this issue by making half-hearted announcements that lead to continued inaction.

The petition is being distributed to local businesses and is available online at www.michaelferguson.com.au until March 1, 2011.