In Their Own Words

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BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Treasurer
Friday April 22, 2005

Lennon ups the ante on slugging
Tasmanians with backdoor taxes

The Lennon Government has this week upped the ante on slugging ordinary Tasmanians with new and increased backdoor taxes following the announcement of a $100 fee to use the Overland Track and a proposal to double many farm water management fees, Shadow Treasurer Brett Whiteley said today.

Mr Whiteley said that Premier Lennon’s utter contempt for ordinary Tasmanians was demonstrated by the fact that he announced cuts in some stamp duties, but, at the same time, allowed his Ministers to introduce a new tax on Tasmanians and drastically increase another.

“Premier Lennon’s backdoor tax grab seems to be expanding by the day and is now worth tens of millions of dollars. This level of backdoor tax is surely unprecedented in Tasmania’s history,” Mr Whiteley said.

“Despite having a $400 million-plus election warchest in his possession, Premier Lennon is still in the hunt for greater taxation revenue by introducing sneaky backdoor taxes in the form of new and increased charges and fees.

“A small selection of these Lennon Government backdoor taxes includes:

· a doubling of many farm water management fees raising an extra $300,000 annually;

· slugging Overland Track walkers with a $100 fee raking in up to $1 million per annum;
· massive increases in public school levies;
· significant increases in national park entry fees raising an extra $1.75 million;
· a seven per cent jump in TAFE fees;
· a 50 per cent increase in MAIB premiums since coming to office;
· exorbitant building levies and accreditation fees;
· a 40 per cent increase in public dental fees; and
· a 5.3 per cent jump in MAST charges and a more than 600 per cent increase in vessel registration and incident investigation fees.

“So many of these extra backdoor taxes are hurting many ordinary, battling Tasmanians most. This week’s announcements on the $100 Overland Track fee and doubling of some farm water management fees will make it just that bit harder for many families to pay the household bills.

“And it is quite likely that few tangible improvements will be seen by Tasmanians with the Lennon Government more focussed on hoarding away funds in its election warchest, than improving the day-to-day lives of ordinary Tasmanians,” Mr Whiteley said.
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Nick McKim MHA

Friday, 22 APRIL 2005
FARMERS SHOULD NOT BURY 1080 FOR FOXES
As Government Admits Baits Not Buried Deep Enough
The Tasmanian Greens today said that the Government should ensure that 1080 baits laid for foxes should only be laid by Fox Task Force officers, not farmers as is currently the case, and called on the Government to ensure that baits are buried deeper than the 5cm which the Government admitted yesterday was the case.
Greens Opposition Environment spokesperson Nick McKim MHA said that when the Fox Task Force began, only officers of the Task Force were authorised to lay 1080 baits, but that early last year a decision had been made to allow farmers to bury the baits, which had caused the Tasmanian Conservation Trust to resign from the Fox Task Force.
Mr McKim said that since the decision to allow farmers to lay the baits the percentage of baits taken had nearly doubled, which indicated that the decision had been flawed.
“We do not want quolls or other native species taking 1080, and the baits must be buried deeply enough to ensure that only foxes can dig down to reach them,” Mr McKim said.
“A bait removed by a native animal is a bait that will not be taken by a fox, and the decision to allow farmers to lay baits is undermining the effectiveness of the Fox task Force.”
“5 cm is not deep enough to discourage native animals from digging, and the Government must take immediate action to rectify the unacceptable increase in baits taken by native animals.”
“The Tasmanian Conservation Trust has been completely vindicated in their decision to resign from the Fox Task Force as a result of the decision to allow farmers to lay the 1080 baits.”
“This is not a criticism of farmers, who are extremely busy people trying to make a living from their land, but we are very critical of the Government’s decision to allow farmers to lay the 1080 baits,” said Mr McKim.
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Kim Booth MHA

Friday, 22 APRIL 2005

RENEWED CALL FOR CHEMICAL TRESPASS LAWS As Current Laws Fail Victims
The Tasmanian Greens today said that advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, that their was no prospect of a successful prosecution in the case of the aerial spraying with Atrazine of Howard and Michele Carpenter and the contamination of their water supplies, is an indictment on the Labor government and highlighted once again the need for robust Chemical Trespass legislation, which was tabled in Parliament by the Greens and voted down by Labor and Liberal.
Greens Opposition Primary Industries and Water spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that he was not surprised that the DPP had advised government that there could not be a successful prosecution because the government had actively prevented robust legislation being enacted, instead relying on a crude Code of Practice for Aerial Spraying, which does not have legislative force.
“It is the government’s responsibility to protect our water systems from chemical contamination, not to hide behind a crude and discredited code of practice that allows the irresponsible use of dangerous chemicals to occur without consequence,” Mr Booth said.
“We still do not even have a uniform requirement for comprehensive water testing or an audit of drinking water across the state after the government voted this down in Parliament last year.”
“It is unfortunately the case that instances of water contamination, like that suffered by the Carpenters, will continue to occur as long as these long-lasting chemicals are in widespread use without the legislative framework to ensure the safety of the public,” said Mr Booth.
Mr Booth said that the main points of the Chemical Trespass Bill 2004 were:
• The creation of the offense of chemical trespass for detectable levels of agricultural chemicals outside target areas;
• Provision for the recovery of damages for chemical trespass, including spray drift and 1080 poison;
• A requirement that the Environment Department facilitate access to chemical detection and analysis equipment;
• Makes provision for access to Legal Aid in cases involving potential chemical trespass;
Mr Booth said that while the impacts of aerial spraying are currently the most contentious, the Chemical Trespass Bill 2004 would have addressed the off-target movement of all chemicals, no matter how applied.

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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Water and Environment
Thursday April 21, 2005
Farmers’ $750,000 red tape bill but no real progress on water development
Tasmanian farmers are facing a farm water management bill of $750,000 to help prop up more Lennon Government red tape, bureaucracy and regulation, Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment Jeremy Rockliff said today.

Mr Rockliff said that a Departmental Officer for Primary Industries and Water Minister, Steven Kons, has confirmed that the proposal to increase water management fees will mean that farmers will be paying an extra $300,000 for farm water management and its associated bureaucracy, on top of the $450,000 they already pay in fees and charges.

“Farmers are outraged that these disgraceful water management fee increases will mostly go to creating even more red tape and bureaucracy in farm water management and licensing,” Mr Rockliff said.

Mr Rockliff said that Minister Kons’ water management review, released yesterday, listed key reasons for the hikes in fees as being increased staff, salaries, regulation and operation costs.

“Not one of the reasons for fee hikes covered in the review points to improvements in the State’s water management, on-farm water storage or construction of major water development projects.

“Tasmanian farmers don’t mind paying extra for services if they can see tangible gains and developments in that service. But farmers have seen no real improvements in water management and water development in this State, just more bureaucracy and more regulation.

“The Lennon Government seems unable to understand that its failure to capitalise on water development opportunities large or small, other than the years-behind-schedule Meander Dam, places the futures of farmers at risk as well as restricting economic growth of the State.

“The fact that some Tasmanian farmers have been unable to plant crops recently, due to water restrictions and a lack of major water development, just highlights the failure by the Lennon Government on water management and water development.

“Rather than water development projects and increased economic opportunities for farmers, all Minister Kons and his burgeoning bureaucracy seem concerned with is slugging farmers with increased fees and providing little back in return,” Mr Rockliff said.

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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday April 21, 2005
More walking tracks should be developed to ease pressure on the Overland Track
Opposition Leader Rene Hidding today called on the State Labor Government to explain what it is doing to develop more walking tracks in Tasmania to ease the pressure on the Overland Track.

Mr Hidding said he was deeply concerned that the arrogant Lennon Labor Government was increasingly pricing Tasmanians out of their own national parks following last year’s disgraceful hike in National Park entry fees.

He said the $100 fee for walking the Overland Track in summer would anger many Tasmanians unless the money was properly invested back into track maintenance, which has fallen into disrepair under the Labor Government.

“Tasmanians will not forget that this is a Labor Government that is building up a $400 million election warchest, and which could easily fund track maintenance without slugging ordinary Tasmanians if it so desired, and if it stopped wasting money on expensive office renovations for Ministers and backbenchers,” Mr Hidding said.

“This Labor Government has also taken years to respond the problems on the Overland Track, which I have repeatedly said is in danger of being loved to death.

“The State Labor Government needs to start realising that it cannot solve every problem by charging a new fee or tax.

“It needs to work on strategies and solutions, and one of those has to be the development of new walking tracks, or the upgrading and promotion of existing ones.

“There are many areas of Tasmania that have the potential to attract large numbers of tourists and walkers, and these should be capitalised on, both from a tourism point of view and to alleviate some of the pressure on the Overland Track.

“But the arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government simply does not appear interested in good solutions just new, backdoor taxes that hit ordinary Tasmanians hard.”
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Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday April 21, 2005
More walking tracks should be developed to ease pressure on the Overland Track
Opposition Leader Rene Hidding today called on the State Labor Government to explain what it is doing to develop more walking tracks in Tasmania to ease the pressure on the Overland Track.

Mr Hidding said he was deeply concerned that the arrogant Lennon Labor Government was increasingly pricing Tasmanians out of their own national parks following last year’s disgraceful hike in National Park entry fees.

He said the $100 fee for walking the Overland Track in summer would anger many Tasmanians unless the money was properly invested back into track maintenance, which has fallen into disrepair under the Labor Government.

“Tasmanians will not forget that this is a Labor Government that is building up a $400 million election warchest, and which could easily fund track maintenance without slugging ordinary Tasmanians if it so desired, and if it stopped wasting money on expensive office renovations for Ministers and backbenchers,” Mr Hidding said.

“This Labor Government has also taken years to respond the problems on the Overland Track, which I have repeatedly said is in danger of being loved to death.

“The State Labor Government needs to start realising that it cannot solve every problem by charging a new fee or tax.

“It needs to work on strategies and solutions, and one of those has to be the development of new walking tracks, or the upgrading and promotion of existing ones.

“There are many areas of Tasmania that have the potential to attract large numbers of tourists and walkers, and these should be capitalised on, both from a tourism point of view and to alleviate some of the pressure on the Overland Track.

“But the arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government simply does not appear interested in good solutions just new, backdoor taxes that hit ordinary Tasmanians hard.”
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Water and Environment
Wednesday April 20, 2005
Outrage at Kons’ proposed hike in farm water fees
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment Jeremy Rockliff today expressed his disgust at the arrogant Lennon Government’s proposal to slug Tasmanian farmers with increased and new fees for farm water management services.

Mr Rockliff said that the review of fees payable under the Water Management Act 1999 was merely a disguise to pay for all the extra red tape and bureaucracy put in place by Primary Industries and Water Minister, Steven Kons.

“Farmers will be outraged that the Lennon Government is canvassing the proposal that they will have to pay more for farm water management services, when they see no improvement in the management of farm water by this arrogant State Labor Government.

“All that confronts Tasmanian farmers is the increased administration, red tape and bureaucracy that hinders their ability to expand their economic opportunities.

“When it comes to farm dam licensing, Tasmanian farmers have never had to put with so many bureaucratic challenges as they have with this bureaucracy focussed Lennon Government.

“And on the development of water projects in this State, Minister Kons has been a complete failure. He continues to sit in idle mode when it comes to water development across Tasmania and improving economic outcomes for Tasmanian farmers.

“Not one major water development project has been completed in more than six and a half years of the State Labor Government and the only project on the horizon, the Meander Dam, due to State Government incompetence, is years behind schedule.

“Just some of the projects which the Minister for Primary Industries and Water has failed to deliver, or even commence, include the Waterhouse Dam and projects at Edith Creek, Long Marsh, Maloney’s Hill, Jordan River, Parramatta Creek and Iron Creek.

“In the face of growing red tape and lack of water development, the discussion paper canvassing slugging farmers with increased and new farm water management charges demonstrates the utter contempt that Minister Kons has for the Tasmanian farming community,” Mr Rockliff said.
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Wednesday April 20, 2005
Launch of Greening Australia program prompts renewed call for urgent State Government Landcare funding
Shadow Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff today repeated his demands that the State Labor Government provide funding to ensure the survival of the Tasmanian Landcare Association as he launched a new on-ground landcare project that epitomises the importance of the landcare movement in Tasmania.
With funding from the National Landcare Program, a new three-year project has begun to improve river health in the Greater Rubicon Catchment area.
The catchment, in the State’s North West, is one of the most intensive agricultural regions in Australia and as a result there are significant pressures on the river system and other natural resources.
“Parts of the catchment have been extensively cleared and as a result, biodiversity values are under threat where minimal native vegetation exists. Soil erosion and water quality are also areas of concerns,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The three year program will see landholders along the Rubicon fencing off areas of remnant vegetation and installing off-stream watering points to reduce stock impact on the river and improve water quality. There will be significant areas of revegetation along the river, and strategic areas that are infested with willows will be revegetated or stabilised to ensure that the riverbanks are not unnecessarily exposed.”
Mr Rockliff congratulated the commitment of volunteers in the Greater Rubicon Catchment Management Group and said the program was an example of how localised, on-ground environmental works, when combined with others all around the State, could make a real difference to the health of the Tasmanian environment as a whole.
“It is exactly this sort of work that groups like Greening Australia and the Tasmanian Landcare Association pride themselves on and it is a disgrace that their efforts seem to go unnoticed and unthanked by the Lennon Labor Government.
“The Tasmanian Landcare Association is on the brink of having to sack staff and sell off assets because the State Labor Government has so far refused to fund itdespite the fact that other States provide millions of dollars in funding for their landcare organisations for both on-ground works and administrative purposes.
“The Lennon Labor Government should have a first-hand look at some of the valuable work being done by landcare and catchment groups around the State, such as the Greater Rubicon Catchment Management Group, and then explain why its work is not considered valuable enough in this State to benefit from funding, when if it were in any other State, it would.”
Mr Rockliff said the State Labor Government must commit to funding the Tasmanian Landcare Association before it is forced to relinquish staff and assets.
“The State Labor Government cannot cry poor, given that it saw fit to spend $500,000 upgrading the Launceston office of a Labor backbencher, is spending $200,000 on a Ministers luxurious Hobart penthouse office suite and gave failed former Governor Richard Butler a $650,000 payout that he was not even entitled to.
“It is about time this arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government got its priorities right.”
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Kim Booth MHA
Wednesday, 20 April 2005
LENNON’S BETFAIR PROPOSAL COULD TURN THE FAMILY HOME INTO A PRIVATE CASINO
Pokie Cost Needs Assessment First
The Tasmanian Greens today said that before the Lennon government considered granting a Betfair licence they must fund an independent social and economic impact study into not only the effects of poker machines, currently rolled out in the community, but also into the effects of increased access to gambling via Betfair within Tasmanian homes.
Greens Opposition spokesperson for Racing and Gaming Kim Booth MHA said that the Betfair proposal had the potential to turn every home into a private gambling Casino.
“The Lennon government is already addicted to gambling as can be seen by their dodgy dealing with the monopoly 15 year rollout granted to Federal Hotels which rolls out an extra 287 Pokies into the community,” Mr Booth said.
“They rolled out those extra 287 pokie machines with callous disregard for the wreckage that pokie addiction is already causing, now they are stealthily courting Betfair, without any social and economic impact study.”
“I am not surprised that Premier Lennon is now in secret negotiation with the Packers to roll out Betfair, as this is his modus operandi, however this proposal could see every house turned into its own private Casino with all of the attendant misery that gambling addiction will bring.”
“This a question of ethics – the government’s primary duty is to good governance and protection of its community from the effects of things like addictive gambling, not the protection of big business profits and a tax stream to prop up its failing projects,” said Mr Booth.
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Media Release

PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Education
Wednesday April 20, 2005

Education Union calls for Wriedt
to fix up funding for schools

The State Liberals welcome calls by the Tasmanian branch of the Australian Education Union for greater priority to be given to education funding by the arrogant Lennon Labor Government, Shadow Education Minister, Peter Gutwein said today.

Mr Gutwein said that Education Minister, Paula Wriedt has presided over a public education system that has lost $221 million in extra investment over seven years due to the Lennon Government’s downgrading of its funding priority.

“The Australian Education Union has quite sensibly stated that they are not happy with the dwindling proportion of the Lennon Government’s Budget being spent on our public education system,” Mr Gutwein said.

In financial year 1998/1999, education funding stood at 27.1% of total State Government consolidated fund outlays since then, spending on education has dropped to just 24.9% of the State Budget (including the Economic and Social Infrastructure Funds).

“I would hope that the Education Union would urge Minister Wriedt to upgrade her skills in gaining improved funding for education from her Cabinet colleagues and Premier Lennon out of Labor’s $400 million-plus election warchest,” Mr Gutwein said.

“As we get closer to the release of May’s State Budget, Minister Wriedt will be under great pressure from the Education Union and other organisations involved in the education sector to improve the proportion of Lennon Government spending on our schools.

“Any failure to improve this proportion of spending, puts the standards of Tasmanian public school education at risk with a further drop in literacy and numeracy levels a real possibility,” Mr Gutwein said.

Mr Gutwein also expressed his disappointment at Minister Wriedt’s seemingly deliberate attempt to mislead the public and the media by suggesting that the State Liberals’ analysis of education funding did not include spending through the Economic and Social Infrastructure Funds (ESIF).

Mr Gutwein said that the analysis did take into account ESIF funding and that Minister Wriedt’s attempted distraction demonstrated the embarrassment she has about her loss of $221 million for Tasmanian schools.
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Media Release

JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Wednesday April 20, 2005

Launch of Greening Australia program prompts renewed call for urgent State Government Landcare funding

Shadow Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff today repeated his demands that the State Labor Government provide funding to ensure the survival of the Tasmanian Landcare Association as he launched a new on-ground landcare project that epitomises the importance of the landcare movement in Tasmania.
With funding from the National Landcare Program, a new three-year project has begun to improve river health in the Greater Rubicon Catchment area.
The catchment, in the State’s North West, is one of the most intensive agricultural regions in Australia and as a result there are significant pressures on the river system and other natural resources.
“Parts of the catchment have been extensively cleared and as a result, biodiversity values are under threat where minimal native vegetation exists. Soil erosion and water quality are also areas of concerns,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The three year program will see landholders along the Rubicon fencing off areas of remnant vegetation and installing off-stream watering points to reduce stock impact on the river and improve water quality. There will be significant areas of revegetation along the river, and strategic areas that are infested with willows will be revegetated or stabilised to ensure that the riverbanks are not unnecessarily exposed.”
Mr Rockliff congratulated the commitment of volunteers in the Greater Rubicon Catchment Management Group and said the program was an example of how localised, on-ground environmental works, when combined with others all around the State, could make a real difference to the health of the Tasmanian environment as a whole.
“It is exactly this sort of work that groups like Greening Australia and the Tasmanian Landcare Association pride themselves on and it is a disgrace that their efforts seem to go unnoticed and unthanked by the Lennon Labor Government.
“The Tasmanian Landcare Association is on the brink of having to sack staff and sell off assets because the State Labor Government has so far refused to fund itdespite the fact that other States provide millions of dollars in funding for their landcare organisations for both on-ground works and administrative purposes.
“The Lennon Labor Government should have a first-hand look at some of the valuable work being done by landcare and catchment groups around the State, such as the Greater Rubicon Catchment Management Group, and then explain why its work is not considered valuable enough in this State to benefit from funding, when if it were in any other State, it would.”
Mr Rockliff said the State Labor Government must commit to funding the Tasmanian Landcare Association before it is forced to relinquish staff and assets.
“The State Labor Government cannot cry poor, given that it saw fit to spend $500,000 upgrading the Launceston office of a Labor backbencher, is spending $200,000 on a Ministers luxurious Hobart penthouse office suite and gave failed former Governor Richard Butler a $650,000 payout that he was not even entitled to.
“It is about time this arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government got its priorities right.”
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Wednesday, 20 APRIL 2005
PUTT APPEALS TO FRENCH HERITAGE EXPERTS FOR HELP ON RECHERCHE BAY
Disbelief at Plans to Log Before Further Studies Undertaken
The Tasmanian Greens Leader Peg Putt MHA has appealed to the National Congress of Historical and Scientific Societies of France meeting in la Rochelle for assistance to save the common heritage of France and Australia at Recherche Bay in southern Tasmania which is threatened by logging.
Ms Putt gave a joint presentation with Professor Claude Sastre of the French National Museum of Natural Sciences overnight Australian time, presenting new research on botanical collections held in Paris which were made by the eminent French naturalist Labillardiere on the north-east peninsula of Recherche Bay in 1792 and 1793.
Heritage professionals who are experts on the French scientific expeditions of the 18th and 19th centuries agreed that the peninsula is a site of international significance and that it is imperative that further, urgent, archaeological and related studies take place before logging operations commence with a view to recognition amongst the UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
“Expect expressions of concern from France to reach the Australian government now French experts on French scientific expeditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are aware of the immediate threat posed by logging on the north-east peninsula of Recherche Bay to the cultural heritage landscape,” Ms Putt said.
“Conference participants were aghast that it is claimed in Tasmania that small reserves for the physical remains of de Lahaie’s French garden and of the d’Entrecasteaux expedition’s laboratory, together with a small area 100 metres around the shoreline could somehow protect values which are obviously found across the peninsula.”
“How could logging this area possibly be more important than investigating the likelihood that this place qualifies as UNESCO Heritage of Humanity, I was asked.”
“Professor Sastre has tracked down original plant collections in Paris which he has demonstrated were taken by the French naturalist Labillardiere from Recherche Bay, and this new research adds to the case for protection.”
“This is not only the heritage of Australia, it is also the heritage of France and further studies must come before logging.”
“I am pleased I was invited to be on the program of this notable conference and was able to attend, because the concern aroused in France amongst people who are already aware of the activities of French explorers reinforces the strong Australian campaign on Recherche Bay,” said Ms Putt.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Wednesday, 20 APRIL 2005
PUTT APPEALS TO FRENCH HERITAGE EXPERTS FOR HELP ON RECHERCHE BAY
Disbelief at Plans to Log Before Further Studies Undertaken
The Tasmanian Greens Leader Peg Putt MHA has appealed to the National Congress of Historical and Scientific Societies of France meeting in la Rochelle for assistance to save the common heritage of France and Australia at Recherche Bay in southern Tasmania which is threatened by logging.
Ms Putt gave a joint presentation with Professor Claude Sastre of the French National Museum of Natural Sciences overnight Australian time, presenting new research on botanical collections held in Paris which were made by the eminent French naturalist Labillardiere on the north-east peninsula of Recherche Bay in 1792 and 1793.
Heritage professionals who are experts on the French scientific expeditions of the 18th and 19th centuries agreed that the peninsula is a site of international significance and that it is imperative that further, urgent, archaeological and related studies take place before logging operations commence with a view to recognition amongst the UNESCO Heritage of Humanity.
“Expect expressions of concern from France to reach the Australian government now French experts on French scientific expeditions of the late 18th and early 19th centuries are aware of the immediate threat posed by logging on the north-east peninsula of Recherche Bay to the cultural heritage landscape,” Ms Putt said.
“Conference participants were aghast that it is claimed in Tasmania that small reserves for the physical remains of de Lahaie’s French garden and of the d’Entrecasteaux expedition’s laboratory, together with a small area 100 metres around the shoreline could somehow protect values which are obviously found across the peninsula.”
“How could logging this area possibly be more important than investigating the likelihood that this place qualifies as UNESCO Heritage of Humanity, I was asked.”
“Professor Sastre has tracked down original plant collections in Paris which he has demonstrated were taken by the French naturalist Labillardiere from Recherche Bay, and this new research adds to the case for protection.”
“This is not only the heritage of Australia, it is also the heritage of France and further studies must come before logging.”
“I am pleased I was invited to be on the program of this notable conference and was able to attend, because the concern aroused in France amongst people who are already aware of the activities of French explorers reinforces the strong Australian campaign on Recherche Bay,” said Ms Putt.
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Media Release

BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Treasurer
Wednesday April 20, 2005

State Liberals welcome Lennon’s back-down
on tax cuts for Tasmanian businesses

The State Liberals welcome Premier Lennon’s reported back-down in agreeing to Federal Treasurer, Peter Costello’s demands for cuts in State business taxation, but call on Mr Lennon to provide further tax relief to Tasmanian taxpayers in May’s State Budget, Shadow Treasurer, Brett Whiteley said today.

Mr Whiteley said that it was believed that Premier Lennon would be writing to Mr Costello with plans to remove stamp duties and other State taxes on Tasmanian businesses.

“The State Liberals have been calling for the high taxing Lennon Government to provide tax relief to Tasmanian businesses, arguing it will be of benefit to the State’s economy so Premier Lennon’s reported back-down is welcome,” Mr Whiteley said.

“It was becoming increasingly clear that Premier Lennon was being isolated by his State Labor colleagues as they announced tax cuts prior to the release of their State Budgets. Any failure by Premier Lennon to provide tax relief to Tasmanian businesses would have significantly reduced the competitiveness of our State.

“The State Liberals call upon Premier Lennon not to stall any moves to provide tax relief to businesses. He should use May’s State Budget as a starting point to reduce the tax burden on the Tasmanian business community.

“Further, Premier Lennon should provide tax relief to Tasmanian landholders and property buyers, including first home buyers, in the form of stamp duties and land tax.

“The arrogant Lennon Labor Government has been hoarding away a massive $400 million-plus election warchest, fuelled partly by rising stamp duties and land taxes paid by Tasmanian businesses, home buyers and landholders.

“The State Liberals believe that Premier Lennon should open up his $400 million-plus election warchest and announce, quite separate from last year’s old announcement on debits duty abolition, in May’s State Budget:
· cuts in State taxes for Tasmanian businesses;
· continuation of stamp duty exemption for first home buyers on conveyances;
· exemption for first home buyers on mortgage stamp duty; and
· significant land tax relief.

“If Premier Lennon ignores calls by the Tasmanian business community, shack owners, first home buyers and other taxpayers for tax relief, he faces the perception that he is more concerned in further propping up his own election fighting fund, rather than keeping our economy strong and helping out ordinary Tasmanians,” Mr Whiteley said.
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Kim Booth MHA
Tuesday April 19 2005
MEANDER DAM BELLY FLOP
Title Sales Don’t Match Rhetoric And Show RMPAT Was Right On Economic Unviability
The Tasmanian Greens today said that they were not surprised by the announcement, by Tasmanian Water Solutions, that expressions of interest had only been received for 17,000 megalitres of water from the 26,000 megalitres needed to be sold to make the Meander Dam project a goer.
Greens Opposition spokesperson on Primary Industries and Water today questioned whether farmers may have been sold a pup over the demand for titles and said that it appears that the Resource management and Planning Appeals Tribunal finding that the project was economically unviable appear now to have been proved right.
The government had to bring in special enabling legislation to allow the project to proceed, however despite 10 million dollars of public subsidies towards the dam, the water is still too dear, apparently backing up the RMPAT tribunal finding.
Tasmanian Water solutions had previously said that they had been overwhelmed by applications for titles. A claim that appears to be at variance with reality, which is that just over half of the required titles had an interest expressed in them.
“Serious questions are now being asked as to why the proponents appear to have been attempting to stampede farmers into taking up titles now, or face the prospect of missing out, when only just over half the titles have expressions of interest” said Mr Booth
“RMPAT found this dam to be unviable economically and farmers have now voted with their feet,” said Mr Booth
“Farmers are not stupid and they know that on farm storage and bores are a far cheaper option”

“If the water is too dear now, the last thing farmers need is the prospect of a foreign corporation price gouging them in the future” said Mr Booth
“The next generation will rue the day that the Lennon government privatised our water resources,” said Mr Booth
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Nick McKim MHA

Tuesday, 19 April 2005

State Government Bungles Intelligent Island Again
$20 Million Must be Used to Foster Genuine Innovation
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the State Government to clarify its plans for the 20 million dollars of funding which had previously been earmarked for the Tasmanian University’s Tasinformatics Centre of Excellence.
Greens IT Spokesperson Nick McKim MHA said that the State Government needed to show some leadership and enter into a dialogue with the Tasmanian community about the future direction that Tasmania needs to take in the IT sector.
“It is incredible that Minister Giddings does not appear to have had a fall back position, and it is crucial that she ensures that the $20 million is used to foster genuine innovation and sustainable economic growth.”
“The Intelligent Island process has been fraught with problems and it’s a shame that political interference appears to have cost the Tasmanian University a substantial opportunity,” Mr McKim said.
Mr McKim called on Economic Development Minister Lara Giddings to take control of the situation and inform the Tasmanian community of how the State Government intends to move forward.
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Media Release

WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Economic Development
Monday April 18, 2005

Disappointment over Tasinformatics decision: Labor must show more leadership to get the $20 million Centre for Excellence off the ground with new partner

Shadow Economic Development Minister Will Hodgman today expressed disappointment that the University of Tasmania had been unable to meet the ethical standards for an ICT Centre for Excellence but said the State Labor Government had been well aware of these guidelines for a considerable amount of time.

Mr Hodgman said the State Labor Government needed to accept its fair share of responsibility for this disappointing outcome as it was a partner in the Intelligent Island program.

“The State Labor Government has lacked strategic direction in terms of how this centrepiece of the Intelligent Island windfall would be used firstly proposing a Bioinformatics Centre of Excellence, then changing this to a Centre for Excellence in Health.

“Tasinformatics advertised for a CEO in June 2004 but the appointment has still not been made.

Mr Hodgman welcomed the fact that the $20 million funding would stay in Tasmania.

Mr Hodgman said it was essential that the local ICT industry was actively involved in any new proposal, to ensure the maximum benefits from the Intelligent Island funding were realised.

“It is a pretty sad state of affairs, when four years after the funding was announced, that a Centre of Excellence still has not seen the light of day,” Mr Hodgman said.

“The State Labor Government needs to accept its share of responsibilty for this disappointing outcome.

“The leadership that was needed at a State Government level to administer the Intelligent Island funding simply was not there.

“Indeed in recent weeks, the State Labor Government has completely washed its hands of any responsibility for the Centre of Excellence at all.

“Lara Giddings only recently had the gall to say “the State has no direct role in these negotiations”.

“This is despite the fact the steering committee comprised representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Economic Development.

“Ms Giddings clearly knew the ethical stumbling block was likely to be fatal and tried to distance her Labor Government as far as possible from today’s inevitable announcement.”

Mr Hodgman urged the State Labor Government to play a more useful role in the next round of negotiations for establishing a Centre of Excellence than it has to date.
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Media Release

JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries Water and Environment
Sunday April 17, 2005

Labor slammed over failure to
commit to landcare survival

Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment Jeremy Rockliff today slammed the State Labor Government’s failure to commit to funding to ensure the survival of the Tasmanian Landcare Association.

The Lennon Government’s failure to provide funding after 18 months of negotiations despite the fact that all other States fund their landcare organisations has left this valuable community-based environmental group on the brink of losing its staff and assets after June 30.

Mr Rockliff said it was high time the State Government ended the uncertainty and committed to significant funding being provided in the May Budget.

He said this funding must be announced immediately not on May 19 because local landcare groups are currently using funding of their own, that would otherwise be used for important landcare initiatives, to support the existence of their peak body.

“The State Labor Government’s arrogant and contemptuous treatment of the Tasmanian Landcare Association really is beyond the pale,” Mr Rockliff said.

“At a time when the State Government is building up a $400 million warchest for the next election, and can lavish $500,000 on upgrading offices for a favoured Launceston backbencher, $200,000 on a penthouse office suite for the Primary Industries Minister in Hobart, and $650,000 on an unnecessary golden handshake for the failed former Governor, it is appalling that the Tasmanian Landcare Association has been left in the cold for so long that its future is now in limbo.

“This appalling treatment of the Tasmanian Landcare Association is even more abhorrent when one considers the level to which other State Governments support their valuable landcare organisations.

“The Victorian Government, for example, is providing $15.6 million over three years for its landcare program, including $4.3 million for community grants.

“The NSW Labor Government provided $5.133 million for 2003/04 for on ground projects and $1.020 million for coordinators who support the groups.

“In Queensland, $1.2 million in State funding is provided for the frontline volunteers, including $200,000 for the peak body, $100,000 for on ground works and $100,000 for insurance.

“But in Tasmania, the State Labor Government provides just $50,000 for the groups to meet basic costs such as insurance. The value of the grant has been $50,000 for the last six years. There is not a scrap provided for on-ground works.

“And the Tasmanian Landcare Association distributes this $50,000 grant to groups at $500 per grant on behalf of the State Government for free.

“Last year, they sought a 5 per cent administration charge to cover costs and were refused.

“The State Labor Government is putting Tasmania to shame through its appalling, penny-pinching treatment of the Tasmanian Landcare Association.

“The Environment Minister Judy Jackson cannot continue to dither and procrastinate on this issue, because the longer she does, the greater the likelihood that the Tasmanian Landcare Association will fold altogether.

“I demand that the Minister commit today to dramatically increased funding for the Tasmanian Landcare association, for both administrative and on-ground work purposes. Anything less will be seen as a total affront to the thousands of Tasmanians who dedicate their time and efforts to helping make a real difference to our environment through these volunteer landcare groups.”
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Media Release
Please note: Will Hodgman can be available outside Parliament House after 1.30pm. Please contact Patrick Clancy on 0411 279 252 to confirm any arrangements.
WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Employment
Sunday April 17, 2005
Giddings’ inaction puts State’s skilled migration opportunities at risk

Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Employment Will Hodgman today welcomed the announcement by Federal Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone, to increase Australia’s skilled migration scheme by 20,000 migrants.

Mr Hodgman said that this increased skilled migration scheme could greatly assist Tasmania’s skills shortage crisis, but there was a great risk that the lazy Lennon Government’s inaction was limiting the State’s access to this expanded stream of skilled migrants.

“The Lennon Government’s response to the increased skilled migration program has been nothing short of sheer incompetence and laziness,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Other States, in particular Victoria, have been very proactive on skilled migration with some of the States lobbying Minister Vanstone for their share of the new skilled migrants before the increase had even been publicly announced,” Mr Hodgman said.

“In early March, when the increase skilled migration scheme was first mooted, Victorian Premier, Steve Bracks, indicated his desire to take in a “a lion’s share” of the Federal Government’s new skilled migrants.

“But since then, we have heard very little from Economic Development Minister, Lara Giddings, or dumped Employment Minister, Jim Cox, on what they were doing to attract these new skilled migrants to help out our State’s skills shortage crisis.

“It is crucial that Minister Giddings, does all she can to attract a significant number of these new skilled migrants to the State, rather than being a spectator as all of the mainland States lobby Minister Vanstone and steal our opportunities.

“Simply speaking, Tasmania runs the risk of remaining in a skills shortage rut if the Lennon Government refuses to act swiftly on bringing significant numbers of new skilled migrants to the State.

Mr Hodgman said that the Victorian Government would be giving extra money to local councils and other groups to assist with the settlement of new skilled migrants. They also have put in place a skilled migration campaign that includes a $6 million skilled arrivals strategy.

The Victorian Government has also established a high-level taskforce to examine changes in labour supply and demand and how to overcome difficulties of a shortage in workforce skills.

“In comparison, the lazy Lennon Government has been sitting on its hands. Last year they announced a $25 million skills package, but have expended just a minuscule proportion of that amount to date,” Mr Hodgman said.

“With two recent economic reports detailing possible long-term economic decline in Tasmania, Minister Giddings and the Lennon Government must not fall asleep at the wheel. Immediate action on attracting this increased wave of skilled migrants should be one of the first moves of many,” Mr Hodgman said.
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Media Release
BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Treasurer
Sunday April 17, 2005
Lennon fails Tasmanians on tax
whilst other States provide relief
Shadow Treasurer, Brett Whiteley said that a deep canyon was developing between the high taxing Tasmanian State Government and the mainland States over the provision of tax relief to their taxpayers.

Mr Whiteley said that this weekend’s news that the South Australian Labor Government is to provide tax relief of $230 million, further demonstrated that the arrogant Lennon Labor Government was being increasingly isolated by not offering land tax or stamp duty cuts.

“Premier Lennon’s outright refusal to commit to cutting taxes for Tasmanian businesses, land owners and first home buyers is both disappointing and a risk to the State’s economy,” Mr Whiteley said.

“South Australia, with stamp duty cuts of $230 million, now joins the growing line of tax cutting States which also includes Queensland and Victoria who are both committed to cutting land tax but, critically, Tasmania is not part of this group.

“There are now no less than three Labor State Treasurers committed to hundreds of millions of dollars in tax cuts, but our arrogant Premier Lennon refuses to heed the calls by the Tasmanian community to provide land tax or stamp duty cuts.

“The arrogant Lennon Government even refuses to heed the economic warning signals contained within the TCCI business expectations report which shows that businesses believe the Lennon Government’s high taxing regime is one of their major hurdles to greater investment and employment.

“This failure to provide land tax or stamp duty relief, in line with other States, puts the competitiveness of Tasmanian businesses and the state of the Tasmanian economy at risk.

“With many interstate small and medium businesses now being offered tax relief, Tasmanian businesses will be placed at a significant disadvantage compared to their interstate competitors.

“Premier Lennon’s failure to commit to tax relief combined with his hoarding away of a massive $400 million-plus election warchest is a slap in the face to Tasmanian taxpayers.

“I call on Premier Lennon to drop his arrogant, no-tax-relief stance and today announce his commitment to cuts in stamp duty and land tax,” Mr Whiteley said.

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Kim Booth MHA
Monday, 18 APRIL 2005
TASMANIAN WATER FOR TASMANIANS
Meander Dam Water Should Not Be Sold Offshore
The Tasmanian Greens today responded to Government spin from Minister Kons which alleged that the Tasmanian Greens now supported the Meander Dam.
Greens Opposition spokesperson for Primary Industries and Water Kim Booth MHA said that the claim that the Greens supported the Meander Dam, which were contained in a media release issued yesterday from the office of Primary Industries Minister Steve Kons, was a complete misrepresentation of the concerns raised by the Greens last week about the rights to water from the Meander Dam being offered to foreign investors.
“The developer of the Meander Dam, Tasmanian Water Solutions, has failed to sell all the 2500 strata titles to Meander Valley irrigators and is now threatening to sell the those titles to foreign investors, ” Mr Booth said.
“I have maintained from the outset that the Meander Dam is economically unviable and the odious threat that offshore investors will be offered Tasmanian water if local farmers don’t stump up the cash is a scare tactic designed to pressure locals into signing on the dotted line.”
“I am calling on the Government to rule out the sale of Tasmania’s water resources to foreign corporations,” said Mr Booth.
“The Resource Management and Planning Appeals Tribunal found the dam to be economically unviable and the failure of Tasmanian Water Solutions to sell the entitlements to Meander Valley farmers is further evidence of this fact.”
“The proponents originally touted that this project would be owned and operated by local farmers, but this is now clearly not the case.”
“The government ignored RMPAT’s findings that this dam is uneconomic and environmentally unsound and instead has pushed through enabling legislation to force the project through and now in a last ditch attempt to keep the project afloat is throwing it’s weight behind the selling off of the state’s most precious community resource to overseas interests”.
“The government knows this project is dead in the water and the Minister is desperately trying to garner endorsement from anyone.”
“Unless the Minister rules out foreign ownership of our water resources in Tasmania, he will find himself swimming alone, drowning in his own rhetoric,” said Mr Booth.
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Media Release

WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Liberal Spokesman for the Royal Hobart Hospital
Monday April 18, 2005

Llewellyn’s cruel con to Cystic Fibrosis sufferers

Liberal spokesman for the Royal Hobart Hospital, Will Hodgman, today condemned Minister David Llewellyn for his cruel con to sufferers of cystic fibrosis in this State.

Tasmanian cystic fibrosis sufferers are treated like second class citizens in Tasmania because of the State Labor Government’s failure to address even their most basic and desperate needs.

In fact, Tasmania is the only State in Australia that does not have a public hospital with a cystic fibrosis clinic that meets World Health Organisation standards.

“As if this was not bad enough, the Health Minister David Llewellyn seems to think he can get away with treating cystic fibrosis sufferers like fools,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Late last year, Mr Llewellyn met with representatives of the cystic fibrosis community and promised a dedicated clinical facility to meet their needs.

“Now it has emerged that all this Minister is prepared to do is obtain Pathways Home, federal funding for monitoring a handful of teenage sufferers.

“A small number of sufferers will be required to explain their feelings, for example if they are feeling depressed, via the Internet or a Palm Pilot on a daily basis; and will have a mentor to ensure the survey is completed.

“But there will be no medical follow-up and this program will not be available to all cystic fibrosis sufferers in this State.

“As far as fulfilling a promise to establish a proper clinic goes, this is nothing but a sham and the Minister ought to be ashamed of himself for trying to hoodwink these sufferers in such a blatant and disgraceful way.”

Mr Hodgman said that in addition to the broken promise on the CF clinic, the Minister was doing nothing to alleviate the burdenon the State’s only CF specialist away, who works under an intolerable amount of pressure.

“This specialist is doing an incredible job in the most trying of circumstances and it is time he had some support,” Mr Hodgman said.

“The specialist used to go up North once a month to see CF adult patients, but the workload in Hobart has reached the point where it’s now once every two months he simply cannot get away from the Royal as he has so many patients in Hobart to look after.

“Those adults in the rest of the State, adult sufferers have to see paediatric doctors who are not specialised in problems such as liver damage, osteoporosis and arthritis which plague CF sufferers in adulthood.

“David Llewellyn promised that he would fix this appalling state of affairs with a proper CF clinic at the Royal. What he plans to deliver will do nothing at all to address the crisis that confronts CF sufferers in this State.

“David Llewellyn’s broken promises and his contemptuous attitude to cystic fibrosis sufferers is just another reason why his time as Tasmania’s Health Minister should be up.”

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Media Release
JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Monday April 18, 2005
Landcare funding failure just the tip of the iceberg

Shadow Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff has today slammed the State Labor Government’s appalling lack of support for on-ground environmental initiatives, saying its penny-pinching approach was robbing Tasmania of the chance to dramatically improve the sustainability of our water and land resources.

Mr Rockliff said the Lennon Labor Government’s disgraceful under-funding of the Tasmanian Landcare Association was just the tip of the iceberg.

“While other States contribute millions of dollars to their Landcare organisations for on-ground environmental initiatives, the Tasmanian Labor Government gives effectively nothing, and still has not agreed to provide funding, despite warnings that the association could fold.

“Labor has a similar attitude towards fighting salinity, and improving water quality.

“The State Labor Government agreed in 2000 under a National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality to provide funding of up to $12 million on a dollar for dollar basis with the Australian Government.

“But it has contributed less than half of the funding, robbing Tasmania of almost $14 million in environmental funding to tackle these major issues that threaten the future prosperity of this State.

“If the State Labor Government does not urgently commit to matching NAP funds, there is a very real risk that we will lose that funding to other States.

“Tasmania is still unable to tap into the $2 billion Australian Water Fund because of the State Labor Government’s refusal to sign up to the National Water Initiative.”

Mr Rockliff said that on top of this, the three Natural Resource Management regions in Tasmania were grossly underfunded by the State Labor Government, to the point where their ability to put into effect their NRM regional strategies was severely compromised.

“The State Labor Government appears to have a blind-spot when it comes to funding important, on-ground environmental projects,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The exposure of its failures in relation to Landcare funding are just the tip of the iceberg.

“It is a sign of how arrogant and incompetent the State Labor Government has become when, at the same time as it builds up a $400 million election warchest, and lavishes hundreds of thousands of dollars on refurbishing offices for Ministers and Labor backbenchers, and can afford an unnecessary $650,000 payout for a failed former Governor, that it is penny-pinching on the future sustainability of our State.”