Tasmania Shadow Minister for Regional Development Mark Shelton

Nine Year Logjam Must Be Fixed

Victor P Taffa

The Primary Industries Minister must immediately commit to fixing a logjam in the Nile River after nine years of inaction, Shadow Minister for Regional Development Mark Shelton said today.

“Unprepared and unbriefed, the Minister was today unable to tell me whether any work has been conducted since 2002 on a major logjam on the Nile River – a logjam that he previously described as “probably the largest in the state”.”

“Regional communities are now seeing the result of nine years of Labor Government inaction – inaction that is causing environmental and infrastructure damage, and an unnecessary cost burden on local farmers.” Mr. Shelton said.

“They simply want to see this issue fixed. It is unacceptable that the Minister has let this issue fall by the wayside for nine years while he has failed to act.”

“The Minister is so bogged down in dealing with the mess that his government has created across the state that he has no time to deal with his portfolio responsibilities.”

“I again call on the Minister to immediately commit to fulfilling his nine year old promise to clear this logjam and ensure that Tasmanians are no longer being let down by more Green-Labor inaction.” Mr. Shelton said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Climate Change Matthew Groom

Where Is Tasmania’s Carbon Price Impact Study?

Victor P Taffa

Tasmania appears to be the only state not to have commissioned a detailed expert analysis on the impact of the carbon tax on the state’s economy – and the Premier refuses to say why, according to Shadow Minister for Climate Change Matthew Groom.

“The Government claims the carbon tax will benefit Tasmania – but where is the evidence of this? In fact, the evidence is that the carbon price will disproportionately disadvantage Tasmania, because even though we’ve already made the transition to renewable energy, we’re still going to have the carbon tax applied to our power bills.”

“Tasmanians are entitled to know the truth. The Premier’s head in the sand approach has to stop. Tasmanians can no longer afford to have a government that is willfully blind to the impact that a carbon tax will have on the state.” Mr. Groom said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Forestry Peter Gutwein

Premier Misleads Over Industry Support For Forest Deal

Victor P Taffa

The Premier has today shown just how far she will stretch the truth to ensure that the disastrous forestry agreement fits her own political agenda, Shadow Minister for Forestry Peter Gutwein said today.

“Despite the claims made by the Premier last week that all signatories had agreed to the process, it is my understanding that at least two industry participants, including Timber Communities Australia and National Association of Forest Industries (NAFI) have not agreed to accept the process or to accept the outcome.”

“This is further confirmation that the disastrous deal is falling apart, with the Premier now reduced to making things up to give the pretence of progress.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“Once again, Tasmanians have seen the Premier caught out manipulating the truth to appease her Green colleagues and keep this dodgy deal alive.”

“The simple fact is, Tasmanians can’t trust this Government. All we have seen from this deal is the closure of a viable and lucrative forest industry, and the slashing of hundreds of jobs.”

“The Premier needs to listen to the thousands of Tasmanians who oppose this deal, and tear it up.” Mr. Gutwein said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Forestry Peter Gutwein

Family-Owned Sawmillers Shortchanged At Expense Of Gunns

Victor P Taffa

Tasmanian family-owned sawmillers have been shortchanged at the expense of Gunns, highlighting how this forestry deal is damaging Tasmania, according to Shadow Minister for Forestry Peter Gutwein.

“Confirmation that the additional $11.5 Million compensation received by Gunns to settle its Forestry Tasmania disputes will come out of the $7 Million set aside in the IGA to manage new reserves and $5 million for propaganda shows where this Government’s priorities lie.”

“Given that under clause 27 of the IGA, the $7 Million to manage reserves will also be used to compensate Tasmania’s family-owned sawmills for broken contracts as a result of the forest lock-ups, Tasmanian sawmillers are effectively being robbed in order to pay Gunns.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“Confirmation by the Forestry Minister today that workers would only be eligible to receive compensation if they were made redundant after the signing of the forestry deal on August 7, only highlights the fact that this deal is directly responsible for hundreds of job losses.”

“What about all the people who lost their jobs in the year prior to the official signing of the deal as a result of the uncertainty and investment collapse the process caused? This forestry deal has been a disaster from day one.” Mr. Gutwein said.

“Far from delivering the promised ‘peace’ in our forests, a pulp mill and certainty for the industry, the only thing the deal has delivered is a $34.5 Million dollar payday to Gunns at the expense of the industry.”

“The Liberals have a balanced 13-point plan that would grow our forest industry, keep regional communities alive, and provide for better environmental outcomes. Again we call on the Premier to either tear up her disastrous deal, or call an election and let Tasmanians decide.” Mr. Gutwein said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations Jeremy Rockliff

Labor Votes To Keep The Protestors In Our Forests

Victor P Taffa

Labor and the Greens have today shown Tasmanians that they support dangerous and illegal forest protests. By failing to support our Bill to allow workers to attend their workplaces without being hindered by protestors, the Green-Labor Government has confirmed that it is happy to see protests continue and lives put at risk, Shadow Minister for Workplace Relations Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“The truth is Labor won’t act because they are beholden to the Greens. When the Premier signed the disastrous forest deal she pledged to Tasmanians that it would bring peace to the industry, yet so far, all we have seen are more dangerous protests and an industry that has been cut in half.”

“These protests are unacceptable. They jeopardise businesses that have already suffered as a result of the forest deal and they are damaging the industry beyond repair.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“Just as every person has the right to protest freely, so too should every person have the right to safely enter and work at their workplace.”

“As long as Labor and the Greens continue to support these costly and dangerous protests, there will be no peace in our forests.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff

RHH Ambulance Patients Waiting 41 Minutes Outside The Emergency Department Door

Victor P Taffa

It was shockingly revealed in Question Time today that (Royal Hobart Hospital) RHH ambulance patients are waiting an average of 41 minutes outside the emergency department door, Shadow Minister for Health Jeremy Rockliff said today.

“The fact is, this ambulance ramping– the practice of caring for patients inside an ambulance outside the hospital, because the Emergency Department is too busy to take patients – is out of control.”

“And this “ramping” will only get worse as Health Minister Michelle O’Byrne continues to slash millions of dollars from the health budget.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“This spill-over from an overcrowded Emergency Department unnecessarily ties up ambulance vehicles and staff.”

“We have already seen staff numbers in the RHH’s DEM downgraded, as well as beds closed. This in turn is creating a bottleneck in the Emergency Department, and is leading to a spike in ramping.” Mr. Rockliff said.

“With reports that incidents of ramping has also increased significantly in recent weeks, the Minister must commit to providing up-to-date data, so Tasmanians can see just how badly her health cuts are affecting services.”

“The Minister needs to understand that slashing and burning at one point of the health system puts increased pressure on other areas. She must put a stop to frontline health cuts.” Mr. Rockliff said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Premier All Talk, No Action Over Delayed Cost Of Living Strategy

Victor P Taffa

Tasmanians suffering with cost of living pressures will have to keep waiting if they want help from this incompetent Green-Labor Government, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said.

“Promised for release in June 2011, and then pushed to August, the Premier confirmed today that the much-hyped Cost of Living Strategy is still months away.”

“Tasmanians doing it tough are seeing the cost of living spiral out of control, with water and sewerage prices skyrocketing and the average power bill now 20 % more expensive than this time last year.”

“While Tasmanians are being forced to wait, the cost of living is escalating.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“If the Premier was serious about tackling cost of living pressures she would have adopted Liberal strategies already put on the table such as opening the electricity market to full competition to put downward pressure on power prices, and merging Tasmanian’s water corporations into one entity.”

“Tasmanians are hurting. They want to see leadership on cost of living issues from this Government, but instead they are getting nothing but talk.” Mr. Hodgman said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Nearly 4,000 Tasmanians Confirm That Govt’s Priorities Are Wrong

Victor P Taffa

Many Tasmanians – including the nearly 4,000 who signed a petition I tabled in Parliament today – have rightly expressed deep concern over proposed cuts to Police numbers at the Kingston Police Station, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said today.

“As a result of the financial incompetence of this Government, officer numbers at the Kingston Station are set to drop by 30 % even though calls from the public have increased by 45 % in the past 10 years.”

“There is no doubt that the loss of any officers in Kingston will have a detrimental effect on vulnerable members of the Kingborough, Channel and the Huon Valley communities.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“The Premier’s plans to slash Police numbers not just in Kingston, but right across state, shows just how wrong the priorities of this Government are.”

“Labor and the Greens are putting community safety at risk because they can’t manage their money and it is unfair that Tasmanians should now suffer as a result.” Mr. Hodgman said.

Tasmania Opposition Leader Will Hodgman

Actions Speak Louder Than Words, Premier

Victor P Taffa

Many Tasmanians – including the 5,500 who signed a petition I tabled in Parliament today – are calling on the Premier to tear up the disastrous forest deal, which she has no mandate for, or to call an election, Opposition Leader Will Hodgman said today.

“Despite the Premier’s claims in Parliament today that she is a strong supporter of the state’s forest industry, the fact remains that she is happily shutting down a multi-million dollar, viable industry.”

“This deal hasn’t delivered peace in our forests, it hasn’t delivered a pulp mill and it hasn’t re-opened the Triabunna Mill – all of which the Premier promised would come with this disastrous agreement.” Mr. Hodgman said.

“It is an outrageous act of economic vandalism that the Premier would willingly exchange $700 Million a year in economic activity for just $7 Million per year in compensation, simply to appease the Greens.”

“The Premier’s blatant refusal today to even release the three options presented by Wise Lord and Ferguson into the Government’s decision to compensate Gunns further highlights the secrecy behind this terrible deal.”

“The Premier needs to listen to the 5,500 Tasmanians that have signed this petition and either rip up this disastrous deal, or call an election and let the people have their say.” Mr. Hodgman said.

Tasmania Shadow Minister for Small Business Adam Brooks

Small Business Strategy Fails To Hit The Mark

Victor P Taffa

The Government’s long-awaited Small Business Strategy fails to address the key challenges facing Tasmanian small business, Shadow Minister for Small Business Adam Brooks said today.

“The state’s 37,000 small businesses are being hit hard by the skyrocketing cost of doing business, including massive increases in water and sewerage bills and power prices.”

“The release of this strategy is the clearest example yet that Labor and the Greens don’t care about small business.” Mr. Brooks said.

“In contrast, the Liberals have introduced a number of measures that would ease the pressure of the cost of doing business.”

“Small businesses need a Government that will work to drive growth, create jobs and reduce costs. This strategy fails to achieve that.” Mr. Brooks said.