The Australian Greens note that today, at the AWU rally in Burnie, Labor power broker Paul Howes sent a clear message to Environment Minister Tony Burke.
“The message to Minister Burke today from Paul Howes was that Labor as a party should be putting short-term corporate profits and short-term jobs ahead of both the environment and long-term prosperity for Tasmanian communities,” Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated.
“The Greens have always been concerned that Labor can’t be trusted with the environment.
“The acid test is now on Tony Burke to do the right thing by protecting one of the world’s most significant remaining tracts of temperate rainforest, and the only disease free home of the critically endangered Tasmanian devil.
“The Greens are also concerned about misleading information over the National Heritage Listing for the Tarkine and dispute the listing will have any impact on existing mines or mining communities.
“We strongly support everyone’s right to voice an opinion, even if we don’t agree with it, however we cannot support the deliberate spreading of inaccurate information intended to promote conflict in Tasmania.
“There is no ‘anti-everything brigade’ - we support expanding the existing Tarkine tourism industry, we support mining proposals such as re-working tailings from Luina – a conflict free shovel ready development that would employ the same number of workers as Venture Minerals.
“Most importantly the Greens support the community groups who want long-term economic and environmental solutions to the North West Coast’s problems,” Senator Whish-Wilson concluded.
• Earlier on Tasmanian Times: The Tarkine is a precious place. Burnie rally draws 3000
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Comments (7)
Howes comes from the same line that gave us Jim Bacon, and all evidence is that his environmental comprehension, and devotion to workers rather than corporations, is even closer to absolute zero.
We know bugger all about the karst systems that the miners propose to pulverise and pollute, but a lot about the chances that the Tas government will guard us like a maremma. so let’s just do it.
John Hayward
Howes is garnering support wherever he can get it.
Has has aspirations to be a MP within Labor.
Paul Howes admitted yesterday that he blows in but said that at least he’s better than a greenie blow in. His speech has been lauded by TCA, the smithton pig hunters association and 4 blokes with goatees & a stubbie as the best since Gough Whitlams “I have a dream” speech.
A caller to ABC said that he has always worked in the mining industry and cannot change to make lattes.
It’s lucky he’s not a journalist or a bank teller. The world is changing and no one has the right to demand it stays the same. He could train to be a nurse or a carer of oldies. A growing industry.
Looking at the Pro Tarkine Development Coalition FB page that boasts over 5500 ‘members’ there seems to be a Facebook anomaly happening. Apparently if someone has been ‘invited’ they are counted as a member.Looking at the member list about 50% are invitees. Some pollies are still up there and probably don’t even know it - Bob Carr,Simon Crean, Matthew Groom, Mark Arbib, Vanessa Goodwin, Ron Christie ? Even Stanley, Tasmania is an invitee. The vagaries of FB. Save the Tarkine has over 4000 members all have ‘joined’.
Howes is just another loud mouthed union ‘leader’ Labor ‘powerbroker’ puffed up with his own self importance. I fear nothing will save us from these hideous little telly tubbies who want to rule the world.
Take a look at him. Do Tasmanians really see this chap as the saviour of the state? If you think piss and wind could save us then perhaps Howes is your man.
No Liberal MP was allowed to speak at the Smithton rally. The Examiner reports that the decision was Mr Howes’s, and quotes him as saying,’ I’m just not in the game of providing a platform to political parties that want to destroy unions’.
And the premier criticised Mr Hodgman for attending the Huon Show rather than going to Smithton. I suspect he was allowed to speak at Huon…