In Their Own Words

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Media Release
Prison Action & Reform
6th May2005

Prison Action & Reform believe the recent unfortunate stabbing of a prison officer by an inmate is the direct consequence of the inhumane and punitive philosophy operating in the segregated Division 7 within the Tasmanian Prison system.

Prison Action and Reform understands the inmate involved has been segregated in these inhumane and unacceptable conditions for almost 3 years. He has been locked in a cell for 22 hours a day, has had very little human contact and understands he has little or no prospect of getting out of that division.

The Tasmanian Prison system is clearly failing in its duty of care to both staff members (who have to work in this division) and to the inmate (who is expected to conform under such conditions).

The current anti-rehabilitation philosophy in the Tasmanian Prison system is evidently not working. The impact of keeping of keeping people in isolated and inhumane conditions over a long period of time with little hope of the situation changing has resulted in the worse possible outcome for both a staff member and an inmate.

Prison Action and Reform call on the Attorney-General to conduct an independent inquiry into the management and philosophical practices within this segregation unit and division 8.

This is the second stabbing of an officer in this yard and we believe that both incidents are a direct result of treating a person like a caged animal.

“What will it take for the prison system to realize that these incidents are a result of embedded and endemic cultural practices. Will it take another death for the system to make fundamental changes to their practices including calling for an independent evaluation of the current inmate management practices.

“We must all remember that these highly damaged people are a product of this system and will be returned to our community as our neighbours,” Caroline Dean, President of Prison Action and Reform.

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Kim Booth MHA

Friday, 6 May 2005
GOVERNMENT MUST HAVE OFFICIAL POLICY POSITION ON POINT OF ORIGIN FOOD LABELLING
As Personal Opinion Won’t Sway Ministerial Council
The Tasmanian Greens today have thrown their support behind efforts to oppose any attempts to water down point of origin labelling on food produce imports as proposed by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Ministerial Council (FSANZ), and have called on the State government to commit to a policy of supporting full labelling requirements.
Greens Opposition Primary Industries spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that while it was heartening to hear that Primary Industries Minister Steve Kons wanted point of origin labelling to remain, it is the Health Minister David Llewellyn who is Tasmania’s representative on the Ministerial Council.
“The Greens fundamentally oppose any efforts to remove requirements for point of origin labelling on food produce, and we are calling on the Lennon government to commit to a policy supporting for mandatory origin produce labelling that will be taken by the Health Minister to the Food Standards Australian New Zealand Ministerial Council,” Mr Booth said.
“Minister Kons’ personal position is heartening, however it is not the same as government policy, which will be presented at the Ministerial Council by David Llewellyn.”
“Tasmanian producers and consumers need to know that it is government policy to argue for strong point of origin food labelling laws, and that Minister Llewellyn is under strict orders to not go to water on the matter when the Ministerial Council meet on the issue.”
“This is becoming even more urgent given growing concerns about the impact of the proposed Australian-China Free Trade Agreement upon our vegetable growers, and they need to know that they are backed by government policy and not just the personal sentiments of Minister Kons.”
“Many Tasmanians are wanting to rally in support of our local meat and vegetable farmers by exercising their consumer power, and mandatory labelling is important to allow informed decision making,” Mr Booth said.
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.Tim Morris MHA

Friday, 6 MAY 2005
GOVERNMENT MUST IMPLEMENT CORONER’S RECOMMENDATIONS
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the State Government to implement all the recommendations by the Coroner, Rodney Chandler, in his findings into the tragic deaths of Tracey Wishart and Samantha Brown, who both committed suicide whilst being voluntary in-patients of the Department of Psychological Medicine (DPM) at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Greens Opposition Health and Human Services spokesperson Tim Morris MHA said that the findings by Mr Chandler, which recommends introducing protocols to maximise the early location of a patient who has absconded from the DPM and whose absence is a cause for concern, should all be implemented without delay to ensure that similar tragedies are avoided.
“The Coroner has clearly shown that these suicides were preventable on these occasions, had better systems been in place that ensured staff were aware at all times where even voluntary in-patients are, and the Government must act on these findings as a matter of urgency,” Mr Morris said.
“The Minister, David Llewellyn, needs to acknowledge that the current systems are inadequate to protect all vulnerable people from harming themselves, and the government has a duty of care to fix the situation.”
“That the Coroner was able to make recommendations demonstrates that there are serious gaps within the DPM’s operational systems, and the Greens are calling on Minister Llewellyn to issue an immediate commitment on behalf of the government to implement Mr Chandler’s recommendations in full,” Mr Morris said.
Coroner Chandler’s Report recommends that:
it is desirable that DPM give urgent attention to implementing a system which better monitors and records the exiting of patients from DPM. It is in my view most undesirable that category 3 patients in particular can leave the ward via its exit doors and be absent unnoticed for up to 1 hours before medical staff are informed
it is my recommendation that DPM implement a system whereby the patient-synopsis prepared for the ward round includes all current information upon patients and is not confined to the period ending at the end of the night shift. Each synopsis should not be destroyed but should be filed and available for future reference, if required. Relevant to the issue of proper recording of information,
it is also my further recommendation that DPM implement a system which ensures that all nursing staff and not only the assigned nurse be responsible for the recording of any relevant information in the nurses notes within the patients file.
… that DPM should explore, perhaps with the co-operation and involvement of Tasmania Police, the implementation of a protocol which maximises the prospects of early location of a patient who has absconded from DPM and whose absence is a cause for concern.
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.Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER

Friday, 6 MAY 2005
GREENS BILL FOR FIXED 4 YEAR PARLIAMENTARY TERM
Writs Issued 5th August 2006
The Tasmanian Greens today announced that they will introduce a Bill to provide for a fixed four year Parliamentary term against the background of election speculation being run by the Liberals more than a year out from the completion of the current four year term of the House of Assembly.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA agreed that continuing election speculation is unsettling, that voters are fed up with political game-playing over prospective election timing, and that the fairest and most sensible approach is to lock in an election date which is known by everyone and which ensures that the Parliament runs to full term.
Ms Putt reminded that Tasmania had a legislated fixed four year term between 1992-1996 under Liberal Premier Ray Groom, and that the Greens have since continued to push for fixed four year terms.
Other State Parliaments which operate to four year fixed terms include, NSW, Victoria, South Australia and the ACT.
“People are fed up with political posturing and game-playing over election speculation and the uncertainty this causes, and the obvious solution is to legislate for a fixed four year term as the Tasmanian Parliament has done on a previous occasion,” Ms Putt said.
“I will introduce to Parliament a Greens’ Bill to fix the date of the dissolution of the House of Assembly and the issuing of writs for an election as the 5th August 2006.”
“This date is exactly four years from the return of writs last election, and this ensures a four year term.”
“The advantage of having a fixed date for commencing the election campaign period is that politicians will then have to settle down to getting on with their jobs until that time and that the Premier no longer holds all the cards in deciding to call an election at a time advantageous to his government.”
“Uncertainty over election timing will be ended if the other political parties support our Bill,” Ms Putt said.
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
State Liberal Member for Braddon
Friday May 6, 2005

Increase in burglaries demonstrates need
for extra Port Sorell police officer

State Liberal Member for Braddon, Jeremy Rockliff, has today slammed the Lennon Government’s broken promise over an extra police officer for the Port Sorell community following a recent spate of daylight burglaries in the area.

Mr Rockliff said that the victims of these recent daylight burglaries would be shocked to know that, just weeks earlier, the Police Minister, David Llewellyn refused to backdown over his broken promise for an extra permanent police officer in Port Sorell.

“If the residents of Port Sorell, Shearwater and Hawley Beach cannot feel safe at home during the day, how can we expect them to feel safe at any time?” Mr Rockliff said.

“The fact that extra police resources were dedicated to Port Sorell for just one day, last Wednesday, further demonstrates the absolute need for an increased permanent police presence in Port Sorell in the form of an extra police officer.

“The Port Sorell community should not have to depend on temporary police resources to feel safe in their neighbourhood the Lennon Government should stick to its promise and station an extra, permanent police officer in Port Sorell.

“Surely this recent increase in burglaries is a warning signal to the Lennon Government over their Port Sorell police broken promise. However, it seems that the Lennon Labor Government is not listening to the community on this important matter of community safety.

“I would urge all Port Sorell, Shearwater and Hawley Beach residents and business operators to sign the petition calling on the Lennon Government to assign a second permanent police officer to Port Sorell.

Mr Rockliff said that he expects to present the community petition, containing hundreds of signatures of local residents, to the Parliament at its next sitting.
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Media Release

SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services
Friday May 6, 2005

Llewellyn must listen to community
concerns over Scottsdale Hospital funding

Health Minister, David Llewellyn must not ignore the pleas of North East residents, the Dorset Council and Scottsdale Hospital workers for extra funding for the Scottsdale Hospital, Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services, Sue Napier said today.

Mrs Napier said that whilst she welcomed the previous commitment of $2.9 million made by the Lennon Government to the Scottsdale Hospital, much of the North East region community believed that these promises fell short of what was required for a proper upgrade.

“The Scottsdale community, including Dorset Mayor Peter Partridge have, justifiably, raised concerns about the Scottsdale Hospital development and the failure by the Lennon Government to supply adequate funds for a proper upgrade,” Mrs Napier said.

“The fact that Mayor Partridge has said that the upgrade was “very much a compromise” would suggest that Minister Llewellyn has not planned and funded the Scottsdale Hospital upgrade properly.

“We now need quick action from Minister Llewellyn otherwise the hospital may lose its licence for five extra beds in the James Scott Wing if the State Government does not have appropriate amenities in place by the start of next year.

“Minister Llewellyn and the State Labor Government have been well aware of the various operational issues at the Scottsdale Hospital, including the James Scott Wing, that need to be fixed up for some time.

“During the years and months it took for Minister Llewellyn to make his decisions over the upgrade of the Scottsdale Hospital, costs have escalated, meaning a shortfall of $1.6 million in his commitment.

“The North East community should not have to fight for funds that should have been allocated by the Lennon Labor Government in the first place if it had done the proper planning and had done it on time.

“I call on Minister Llewellyn to listen carefully to the community concerns over the Scottsdale Hospital and ensure that there are absolutely no compromises or shortfalls when it comes to the hospital’s upgrade,” Mrs Napier said.

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MICHAEL HODGMAN, QC MHA
Her Majesty’s Shadow Attorney General
Friday May 6, 2005

Jackson must explain how two prisoners in the last week have been able to allegedly arm themselves to commit crimes

Shadow Attorney General Michael Hodgman QC today called on the State Labor Government to explain how two maximum-security inmates at Risdon Prison have allegedly managed to arm themselves and attack others in the past week.

Mr Hodgman said the Attorney General Judy Jackson had still failed to answer basic questions about last week’s dramatic hostage situation as per usual, sending out a bureaucrat to face the media on this matter of bad news.

He said revelations of another serious incident at the prison required proper explanation from Ms Jackson.

“The most basic question is how on earth it was possible that two inmates in maximum security areas of the jail have allegedly been able to arm themselves while in the jail,” Mr Hodgman said.

“These would appear to be massive security breaches that had the potential to be far more serious than they eventually were and unless they are addressed there will no doubt be more serious incidents to come.”

Mr Hodgman said there must also be an investigation into what action was taken to protect the officer concerned from harm given that he was reportedly threatened by the alleged offender over the last six months.

“Again we are witnessing the effects of the State Labor Government’s complete mismanagement of the justice system. Prisoner numbers are skyrocketing while the Lennon Labor Government completely ignores viable alternative sentencing options, such as the replacement of sentences of three months or less with intensive rehabilitation orders of up to 12 months, and prison guards are understaffed, under-resourced and overworked.

“It is high time the Attorney General fronted the public and explained how it was possible that two prisoners in the last week have allegedly been able to arm themselves and commit violent crimes while in prison and what action she is taking to ensure that there is greater protection for prison guards, and other prisoners, at Risdon Jail.”

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Kim Booth MHA

Thursday, 5 MAY 2005
CORRA LINN CARVED UP READY FOR SALE
Public Slice A Thin Memory Of A Local Icon
The Tasmanian Greens today questioned the state government’s commitment to cultural heritage and recreation as it was revealed that the iconic Corra Linn site would be carved up with a thin slice left for access to a foreshore strip whilst surrounding areas were sold off to the highest bidder.
Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MHA, said that is was an indictment of the Lennon government’s approach to public assets that the fire sale of such an area was pushed through with little thought to the generations of locals who had helped build and enjoy the area.
“This is not the fault of Parks and Wildlife or the Inland Fisheries both of whom are under funding shortfalls and cutbacks by the Lennon government. This is firmly in the lap of Minister Kons who has driven this agenda and Bass Labor members Ms Hay and Mr Cox who have sat silent whilst this hurried sale has been pushed through,” Mr Booth said.
“This is a breach of trust by the government and shows contempt and lack of respect for the community who use and value Corra Linn.”
“The Lennon government has treated the users of this area like turkeys as it carved up Corra Linn to feed its failing projects.”
“What we have is a slice of Lots 1 and 3 carved off to provide a thin strip of foreshore to the public when any self respecting government would have recognised the icon status of Corra Linn and reserved both lots in full to be provided for the continued enjoyment of the public.”
“Now we hear that it is Launceston City Council who is going to foot the bill for the area and whilst they too have an obligation to protect and promote cultural recreational sites for the ratepayers, this area is enjoyed by people from around the state and the government had a responsibility to do their share.”
“They have failed in that regard and we are seeing a retrograde step where once pristine rivers and shores provided recreation areas developed by volunteers for the enjoyment of all, but now rivers in environmental crisis are having their recreation access cut back for private development.”
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Kim Booth MHA

Thursday, 5 MAY 2005
IS GOVERNMENT ALLOWING INDUSTRIAL FURNACES TO BECOME DE FACTO WASTE INCINERATORS?
As DPIWE Confused About Permits for Toxic Waste
The Tasmanian Greens today raised the alarm that the Government may be allowing industrial furnaces to be used as de facto waste incinerators, with confirmation from the Environment Department yesterday that a permit had been issued to TEMCO allowing a trial burning of fume dam mud, including toxic coal tar residue.
Greens Opposition Environment spokesperson Nick McKim MHA called on Environment Minister Judy Jackson to clarify comments made yesterday by Director of Environmental Management Warren Jones, who initially said that no permit for burning coal tar residue had been issued to TEMCO, but later admitted that a permit did allow the burning of coal tar, which is a recognised carcinogen as identified in TEMCO’s own Material Safety Data Sheet.
Mr McKim said that DPIWE’s confusion raises questions such as:
• Has TEMCO been granted a permit to burn coal tar, and if so is it still valid?
• Is the TEMCO permit verbal or written?
• What conditions were on the permit?
• What public consultation had been undertaken prior to issuing the permit?
• What air quality monitoring had been required as part of the permit?
• What OH&S safety auditing had been carried out prior to issuing the permit?
• How many other permits have been issued that would allow industrial furnaces to function as waste incinerators in Tasmania?

“We need to know how many other permits have been issued which would allow industrial furnaces to burn waste products, what processes were followed prior to issuing the permits, and what conditions have been placed on permit recipients,” Mr McKim said.
“Many industrial furnaces do not have the necessary scrubbing capacity to be used as waste incinerators, and if Mrs Jackson has made a policy decision to allow this to happen, she should be up front about it so that the community can make their views known.”
“This is not just about TEMCO’s permit, it is now a matter of statewide concern that other industrial furnaces around Tasmania may be functioning as waste incinerators.”
“The TEMCO permit raises serious public health and OH&S questions, especially in light of the Gunns pulp mill which, if it goes ahead, will further impact on air quality in the Tamar Valley.”
“The TEST waste incinerator at Brighton was rightly knocked back by the Government in part due to concerns with toxic compounds such as dioxins, and it would be completely unacceptable if the Government is now allowing industrial furnaces to be used as de facto waste incinerators.”
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Nick McKim MHA

Thursday, 5 MAY 2005
WORKER SECURITY THROUGH LEGISLATION, FOREST INDUSTRY RESTRUCTURE ADVOCATED
As Gunns’ Contractors Suffer 20% Cut
The Tasmanian Greens today believe that the 20% cut to cartage contracts by Gunns Ltd due to uncertainty over a Japanese woodchip sale contract shows the problems inherent in reliance on selling woodchips into volatile world commodity markets – a problem which would also plague a pulp mill reliant on selling pulp into similarly volatile commodity markets.
Greens Opposition Leader and Forestry spokesperson Peg Putt MHA said that an industry restructure to diversify into a range of better value-adding manufacturing of wood products here in Tasmania was the answer to the uncertainty for workers, and also reminded that although Premier Paul Lennon had supported legislation to give resource security to the big corporations like Gunns he had voted against Greens amendments to also introduce worker security.
“Tasmanian governments have looked after the big end of town in the forest industry with resource security legislation which benefits the companies, but to their shame the Tasmanian Parliament voted down Greens’ amendments to legislate for worker security and now we see the contractors bearing the brunt,” Ms Putt said.
“Selling bulk commodities, either woodchip or pulp, into volatile world markets will inevitably see the forest industry suffer big swings in demand which is why we are better off to diversify into a range of value-added manufacturing of wood products here in Tasmania.”
“The Greens’ forest transition strategy sets out to restructure the industry so that more jobs can be created in a range of local plantation processing ventures across the north west coast like laminated veneer lumber, oriented strand board, sawmilling and veneer production, the advantage being a move away from such heavy reliance on selling bulk woodchip or pulp offshore.”
“A move from woodchip exports to pulp exports if a pulp mill is built will not save us from the problems of selling into world commodity markets which we see today in the 20% cut for contractors and the uncertainty over future demand.”
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Jeremy Rockliff

Proposal to dump mandatory country of origin labelling for fresh fruit and vegetable imports must be rejected by Lennon Labor Government

Shadow Primary Industries Water and Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff today called on Health Minister David Llewellyn to provide a cast-iron guarantee that he will use his position on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Ministerial Council to reject outright a move to dump mandatory country-of-origin labelling on fresh fruit, vegetables and seafood imports.

Abandoning the mandatory labelling requirements could lead to even more Chinese, and other imported, vegetables, flooding into the Tasmanian marketplace as retailers would no longer be compelled to identify where unpackaged vegetables have come from.

Retailers would only be required to inform customers of the origin of fresh fruit and vegetables if asked to.

Mr Rockliff said the draft code could not have come at a worse time.

“It is an absolute disgrace that at a time when Tasmanian vegetable producers are facing enormous challenges from cheap imports, that the mechanism which to date has ensured buyers at least know where unpackaged vegetables have come from could be scrapped.

“Tasmanians buying their fresh fruit and vegetables generally expect that what they are buying has been sourced if not from Tasmania, then certainly interstate.

“I am sure a great number of Tasmanians have actually been shocked to learn of the extent of vegetable imports in recent days and that they will be looking even more intently at country of origin labelling on fresh fruit and vegetables than they may have done in the past.

“Until now, it has been mandatory that unpackaged fruit and vegetables imported from overseas had to be labelled with their country of origin. This is how it should be.

“The risk of Tasmanian farmers’ produce being overlooked for cheaper overseas imports will increase greatly if this overseas produce is no longer identifiable as an import when it comes to the retail end.

“Furthermore, due to our quality assurance standards and progressive farm practices Tasmanian farmers are some of the most reliable and safest food producers in the world.

“What assurances are there from FSANZ that they can satisfy the Australian consumer that food producers in other countries have the same high standard of food production, in particular the aspect of food safety, by ensuring minimum residue limits for chemicals and fertilisers are adhered to?”

The Department of Health and Human Services is responsible for administering the code; and the review of the draft code drawn up by Food Standards Australia and New Zealand will go before its Board, and depending on the outcome, it could be before the Food Regulation Ministerial Council soon after that.

The Council comprises the Health Ministers of all States and Territories, New Zealand and Australia.

Mr Rockliff said he would be lobbying the Federal Government next week in Canberra to reject the draft code, but the Tasmanian Health Minister David Llewellyn must also stand up for Tasmanian farmers and reject the ludicrous proposition that country of origin labelling requirements be dumped.

“Tasmanian vegetable farmers are facing a huge challenge to their industry in the face of cheap vegetable imports, and abandoning mandatory country of origin labelling could be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Mr Rockliff said.

“The Tasmanian Government must reject the ridiculous and damaging proposition that mandatory country of origin labelling be abandoned; especially at this critical time for the Tasmanian horticultural industry.”

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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER

Wednesday, 4 MAY 2005
LENNON ON THE NOSE/HIDDING BENEFITS FROM LABOR DEBACLES
Greens Vote Follows Normal Patterns Between Elections
The Tasmanian Greens today were not surprised that the Tasmanian government has lost support under Premier Paul Lennon, according to the latest Morgan Poll, and believe that it is more a case of Labor losing support than the Liberals doing anything of significance to win it.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA pointed to Labor’s appalling handling of health and human services, and a series of bungles from an inept Ministerial line-up, together with Paul Lennon’s belligerent manner as being the losing factors for Labor.
Ms Putt was unconcerned about the Green vote which has simply returned to its normal levels between elections (18% support levels are recorded around the State and Federal elections, returning to 15-16% at other times); although the Greens were finding difficulty in getting the message across of their high levels of activity on economic issues and in the social area, particularly on health.
“Paul Lennon’s belligerence, his infatuation with the big end of town, and the shambles that is his Ministry has turned voters away,” Ms Putt said.
“The ongoing debacle in health has been genuinely alarming the community.”
“This poll shows a classic example of a government losing support through a mixture of incompetence and arrogance under a person never cut out to be leader, and the Liberals’ increased support is because they are beneficiaries of Labor’s poor showing more than because they have actually done anything to win over voters.”
“The Greens vote has followed the traditional between election pattern of dropping a couple of points, so we are not unduly concerned.”
“We have been very active on economic issues, including preparation for delivery of an Alternative Budget again this year and have been doing a lot of work on health issues, but it is hard to get recognition of our broader approach when there is still a lingering mindset which links us only to the environment,” said Ms Putt.
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IRENE BRIANT EXHIBITION

Artist: Irene Briant
Exhibition Title: Fold, Twist & Pleat
Dates: Friday 13 May to Wednesday 08 April 2005
Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 6.00pm
Artist Floor Talk: Saturday 14 May 2005 at 4.00pm
Description: An exhibition of sculpture exploring the relationship between clothing and the body.

Irene Briant was born in 1934 and undertook her first formal art training in the 1970s. Her work has been exhibited on a regular basis throughout Australia since 1984. She is currently undertaking her PhD at the Tasmanian School of Art in Hobart where she is investigating the relationship between clothing and the body through sculpture.

During an Australia Council residency in Paris in 1998, Briant became fascinated by the synthesis of clothing and sculpture in haute couture. Since then fashion design has been an important source of inspiration for her work.

An exploration of forms and materials that have a relationship to the human body are evident in this current exhibition. Fold, Twist & Pleat not only describes the processes in the making of these recent sculptures, but also the sense of movement and liveliness the artist strives to create in rendering metal to fabric-like. The contrast created in bringing together the seemingly incompatible elements of metal and fabric, further animates these works through a vitality that each material lends to the other.

Traces of Irene Briant’s earlier preoccupation with landscape remain in her recent trunk-like forms. Having an established reputation as an artist whose work has explored the impact of European settlement on the Australian landscape, her works can be found in the collections of significant public institutions, such as the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery and Parliament House in Canberra.

For an interview or phot opportunity contact Dick Bett at the gallery on 03 6231 6511 or 0419 386 062.

(Irene Briant wishes to acknowledge the assistance of the Tasmanian School of Art, University of Tasmania, in this exhibition).
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BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Minister of Infrastructure
Wednesday May 4, 2005

Labor cave-in on Sisters Hills welcomed

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Brett Whiteley today welcomed the State Labor Government’s cave-in on the need to upgrade the notoriously dangerous Sisters Hills section of the Bass Highway.

But Mr Whiteley said it was unforgivable that Labor had taken so long to act on this tragic road.

And he said Labor’s commitment fell $5 million short of what it knew was needed to complete the required works, according to a State Government-led working party that identified 13 projects in need of funding.

“The Sisters Hills stretch of the Bass Highway is another victim of Labor ignoring areas of huge need over the last few years in order to build up a $400 million warchest for the next election.

“That warchest will allow Labor to hand down a huge-spending attempted vote-buying Budget later this month but it remains the fact that Labor turned its back on areas of need, such as Sisters Hill and our health system, for years in order to build that warchest up.

“That is not only cynical and arrogant it is playing with people’s lives.

“The people of Braddon would probably never have seen this upgrade if Labor was not travelling so badly in the community’s estimations and was not so desperate to win some points but even now, the contribution is $5 million short.

“However, the State Liberals welcome the fact that Labor has finally woken up to the fact that the Sisters Hills road urgently needs fixing, as it has done for some years.”

Mr Whiteley said it was ten months since the State Liberals announced that a Hidding Liberal Government would fund the $35 million upgrade in recognition of the fact that this stretch of road is a State road, as well as a very dangerous one.

Before the 2004 Federal election, the Howard Government promised $15 million towards the upgrade, on the proviso the State contribute at least matching funding.

“The silence from the Labor Government in terms of coming to the party to get this upgrade under way has been deafening until now, and has really beggared belief,” Mr Whiteley said.

“Work on fixing this road could already be well under way had Labor taken up the Federal Government’s offer immediately.

“However, as I said last night, it is certainly a case of better late than never.”
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Kim Booth MHA

Wednesday, 4 MAY 2005

COAL TAR TOXIC WASTE TO BE BURNT IN TEMCO TRIAL
Government Must Withdraw Permit
The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that the Government have given a permit to TEMCO to carry out a trial incineration of coal tar residue, which is classified as carcinogenic to humans, and Manganese baghouse fume through the company’s Sinter plant at Bell Bay.
Greens Member for Bass, Kim Booth MHA has demanded that the government revoke the permit to burn toxic waste in the Temco Sinter plant and for an enquiry as to why a permit was issued in the first place.
“It appears that the Lennon government has granted a permit to TEMCO to trial disposing its coal tar and Manganese baghouse fume waste by incinerating it in its industrial furnaces, which is highly inappropriate and potentially extremely dangerous to workers and nearby locals,” Mr Booth said.
“The Greens are demanding that this permit be revoked, and that alternative disposal methods for this toxic waste product are investigated.”
“Apparently the company is facing a storage shortage for its coal tar waste, but suddenly converting an aluminium smelting plant into a waste disposal incinerator is unacceptable.”
“Due to the toxic waste build-up at TEMCO the government granted permit provides for a four day trial burning baghouse fume and a 2 hour trial burning 20 tonnes of Fume Dam Mud which contains cancer causing Coal Tar residue.”
Mr Booth said the toxicity of the waste is well known as the company’s own Material Safety Data Sheet cites side-effects including:
“R45 May cause cancer. This product contains Coal tar pitch which is classified as carcinogenic to humans (IARC group 1). Inhalation of coal tar pitch volatiles has been linked to an increased risk of lung and bladder cancer. Coal tar pitch has been reported to increase the risk of cancer.”
“The permit is apparently conditional on there being a strong north westerly wind and that it be done in the dark.”

“This will place Temco workers and Comalco’s workers and site, directly in the firing line and expose them to an unknown cocktail of potentially carcinogenic material,” Mr Booth said.
“It is totally outrageous that a permit has been issued to dispose of highly toxic waste such as coal tar in an industrial plant.”
“This plant is not designed to be a waste disposal unit and there is serious concern that TEMCO’ s coal tar problem is about to be shared with the residents of the Tamar Valley, as the fumes spew into the inversion layer and move south right up into Launceston.”
“The Lennon government either hasn’t heard of the Tamar Valley inversion layer and smog problem or it couldn’t care about worker or public health.”
“The product data sheets paint a chilling picture of the devastating health dangers that coal tar poses, and I bet the Minister wouldn’t have a clue what chemicals will be coming out the chimney or their health effects.”
“The Government must call off the trial and commit to not allowing industrial furnaces to be used as toxic waste disposal units,” Mr Booth said.
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Nick McKim MHA

Wednesday, 4 MAY 2005
GREENS REITERATE CALLS FOR STATE COMMISSION OF INQUIRY INTO CHILD ABUSE
Lennon Government Must Act Responsibly
The Tasmanian Greens today repeated their call for an independent Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse in Tasmania, in light of disturbing allegations of paedophile rings operating in the State.
Greens Opposition Justice spokesperson Nick McKim MHA said that it is obvious that an inquiry is necessary to investigate allegations of child abuse that have not been investigated by the Ombudsman’s process and so that recommendations can be made to minimise child abuse in the future.
“A full inquiry is the only way we as a community can fully inform ourselves of the extent of child abuse throughout the State, and develop policies to deal with it,” Mr McKim said.
“We are glad that the Liberals have finally supported our calls for a State Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse in Tasmania, and it is now time for the Lennon government to act.”
“The Greens have twice moved in the Tasmanian Parliament for a Commission of Inquiry into Child Abuse and were supported on the second occasion in November last year by the Liberal Party.”
Mr McKim said that a Commission of Inquiry could enable investigation of allegations of a national paedophile ring operating in Tasmania.

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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Wednesday May 4, 2005

Polling Results

State Opposition Leader, Rene Hidding today said that the only poll that he was interested in, which he expected to occur sooner rather than later this year, is the State Election.

“Tasmanians are seeing that the Lennon Labor Government is dominated by arrogance, incompetence and secrecy,” Mr Hidding said.

“They are looking for a fresh, new approach to politics and an alternative State Government a Hidding Liberal Government which will focus on the values of opportunity, responsibility and community.”
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Wednesday May 4, 2005

Federal Liberal commitment secures long overdue State funding for Sisters Hills

The Federal Member for Braddon, Mark Baker MP, said today that the Howard Liberal Government’s commitment of $15 million for the notorious Sisters Hills stretch of the Bass Highway had been instrumental in securing a matching funding commitment from the State Labor Government.

“If there were no strings attached to our funding then it is extremely doubtful that the Lennon Government would today have announced a matching commitment,” Mr Baker said.

“The fact is that by requiring the State Labor Government to match our funding dollar for dollar the Howard Liberal Government will have ensured that major work is carried out on this dangerous stretch of road over the next few years instead of in dribs and drabs over the next decade.

“The $15 million in Federal funding that Senator Richard Colbeck, Senator Elect Stephen Parry and I were able to secure for this State road has finally forced the Lennon Government into action.”

Mr Baker said today’s announcement was a victory for the community and road users, and particularly for those who had lobbied tirelessly for some years.

“Today we should be congratulating Trevor Duniam, Kevin Walker, Braddon Liberal MHA Brett Whiteley and all those in the community who have been fighting for a long time to have the State Government wake up to its responsibilities,” he said.

“While we welcome today’s funding announcement, the Minister for Infrastructure, Bryan Green, still has some serious explaining to do.

“Why, for instance, has it taken so long for this funding to be announced?

“Mr Green said repeatedly that we would have to wait until the State Budget, despite the fact that millions of dollars has been committed for other projects over the past several months, and yet today’s announcement comes more than three weeks before the State Budget.

(P.T.O.)

– 2 –

“Time and time again the Minister claimed that the State Government had spent millions of dollars on the Bass Highway west of Burnie despite the fact that very little of that work was anywhere near Sisters Hills, and most of the funding was actually spent between Cooee and Burnie.”

Mr Baker said that he hoped that in announcing State Government funding for Sisters Hills today, Mr Green also took the time to publicly apologise to the community for the unnecessary delays and political game playing.

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Media Release

BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Minister of Infrastructure
Tuesday May 3, 2005

Brett is available on his mobile until 10.30pm tonight 0418 357 294

Labor backdown on Sisters Hill not before time

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Brett Whiteley tonight welcomed the State Labor Government’s long-awaited backdown on the need to upgrade the dangerous Sisters Hills section of the Bass Highway.

The State Liberals understand the State Government will tomorrow finally cave in to pressure from the State Liberals and the North West community and at long last agree to provide the funding commitment to get the $35 million upgrade under way.

It comes ten months after the State Liberals committed a Hidding Liberal Government to funding the $35 million upgrade, in recognition of the fact that it is a State road, as well as a highly dangerous one.

However, during last year’s Federal election campaign, the Howard Government generously offered $15 million towards the upgrade.

This means the State Labor Government will commit $20 million to the upgrade if it is fair dinkum about bringing about the required upgrade.

Mr Whiteley said it beggared belief that Labor had taken so long to take up the Federal Government’s offer of $15 million towards allowing the upgrade to go ahead.

“The State Labor Government’s arrogant stalling on this issue has undoubtedly put lives at risk. Had Labor adopted the State Liberals’ policy back in July last year, work would already be well under way, and likewise if it had taken up the Federal Government’s offer immediately.

“Instead, Labor dithered and delayed. The arrogant Premier Paul Lennon, and his Infrastructure Minister Bryan Green, could not bring themselves to accept a Federal Government offer that was good for the North West Coast; however it is great news that they have finally backed down.”

Mr Whiteley said it was worth noting that the Sisters Hills Road was a State road and its upgrade should have been funded years ago.

“We have witnessed so many tragic accidents on this road yet it took a massive campaign from North West residents and the State Liberals for Labor to take the state of this road seriously.

“That Labor could take so long to recognise the obvious is a sad reflection on how out of touch it has become with the Tasmanian community; however, it is certainly a case of better late than never.”
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Tim Morris MHA

Tuesday, 3 MAY 2005
GUN CLUB LOSS IN TRIBUNAL
West Tamar Council Stands Up To Club
The Tasmanian Greens today congratulated the West Tamar Council on standing firm on its demand for a proper Environmental Management Plan from the West Tamar Hunting and Target Shooting Club at today’s hearing in the Resource Management and Appeals Tribunal in Launceston.
Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MHA, explained that all costs had been awarded against the Gun Club by the Tribunal, and that the club had been ordered to cease all shooting until they comply with the Council’s demands or they could be fined $50,000.
“Today’s finding by the Tribunal is a clear signal to all gun clubs, that they must take environmental matters seriously and that they cannot continue to contaminate their shooting ranges with tonnes of lead without having to manage the environmental issues that inevitably arise,” Mr Morris said.
“The West Tamar Council has been trying to accommodate the gun club for a long time, but the club seemed incapable of helping themselves and appear to be their own worst enemy.”
“The Environmental Management Plan needs to meet the requirements of the council, and the club has continued to ignore its legal requirements while continuing to run its monthly shoots.”
“Both the community and the council are doing a great job in pursuing the West Tamar Hunting and Target Shooting Club to ensure it meets all reasonable requirements to manage the environmental impacts of its activity.”
“This is a significant win for the long-suffering neighbours of the gun club who have had to put up with ongoing lead contamination of the Supply River catchment.”

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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Liberal Member for Lyons
BRETT WHITELEY, MHA
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
Tuesday May 3, 2005

Lyell Highway funding welcomed
but just a drop in the ocean

The State Liberals today welcomed the cave-in by the Lennon Government to State Liberal pressure over upgrading the Lyell Highway between Granton and New Norfolk, but said that the funding announced today was just a drop in the ocean.

Mr Hidding said that thousands of Derwent Valley residents had signed a community petition calling on the Lennon Labor Government to put the highway’s major upgrade back on its priorities by announcing a major commitment in May’s State Budget.

“This funding of $500,000 to improve a section of the road is clearly a reaction by the Lennon Government to the strong community support of the Lyell Highway upgrade petition,” Mr Hidding said.

“But this funding goes just a small way to fixing up one of Tasmania’s busiest and most dangerous stretches of Tasmanian highway.

“The Derwent Valley community had great expectations following Jim Bacon and Michael Aird’s promise in 1997 to upgrade the Lyell Highway between Granton and New Norfolk.

“Sadly, the State Labor Government have broken their promise to the Derwent Valley community on a full highway upgrade and have limited their work on this highway section to minor upgrades and intersection improvements,” Mr Hidding said.

Mr Whiteley said that the Lennon Labor Government had a poor record on major highway upgrades with both the West Tamar Highway and the Sisters Hills section of the Bass Highway desperately in need of greater Labor Government commitments.

“The Lennon Government should understand that the economic development, tourism opportunities and general growth in regional communities are largely reliant on having good transport links,” Mr Whiteley said.

“Without an upgraded Lyell Highway to New Norfolk, potential investors in the Derwent Valley region may be discouraged and jobs could be lost.

“The Lennon Labor Government needs to announce in the upcoming State Budget a greater commitment to the Lyell Highway than just this drop in the ocean. With a massive $400 million-plus election warchest, they have no excuses,” Mr Whiteley said.

Mr Hidding said that he expects to present the community petition to Parliament during the next sitting of Parliament.
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Tim Morris MHA

Tuesday, 3 MAY 2005
LYELL HIGHWAY BANDAID JOB
Money For Road Just In Time for Election
The Tasmanian Greens today called for the State Government to come up with more than merely bandaid money for the much-needed upgrade of the Lyell Highway “bumpy bits’, a section of the highway between Granton and New Norfolk, than the $500,000, which was announced today.
Greens Member for Lyons, Tim Morris MHA, said that it was insulting to the Derwent Valley community and an obvious ploy attempting to appease locals until the next state election.
“Anybody who knows this section of the Lyell Highway, or knows anything about the cost of roading will realise that $500,000 is a joke – but just not a very funny one,” Mr Morris said.
“It might be just enough to grade out the infamous ‘old bumpy bits’ but that will be about all and the bumps will return in a matter of months.”
“What we are seeing is a cynical attempt to silence the Valley community with a state election due within the next 14 months.”
“The Derwent Valley Council has called for a proper upgrade of the Lyell Highway for many years now and this pathetic bandaid job does not suffice. I call on the Lennon Labor Government to release the engineering advice, which I am sure will show that this will not be sufficient to do a proper job.”
“The saying ’a job worth doing, is worth doing well’ is appropriate in relation to this problematic bit of road, so Labor should do it properly by allocating sufficient funds instead of this insulting bandaid,” Mr Morris said.
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MICHAEL HODGMAN, QC MHA
Her Majesty’s Shadow Attorney General
Tuesday May 3, 2005

Michael will be available for comment at 4pm today outside Parliament House

Attorney cannot run and hide everytime there is bad news

Shadow Attorney General Michael Hodgman QC today called on the Attorney General Judy Jackson to provide more information to the public about the incident at Risdon Prison on Friday.

Mr Hodgman said it was a disgrace, but not a surprise that the Lennon Labor Government had hidden the incident from the public for four days and then only today sent out a bureaucrat to face the music.

“This is typical of the complete lack of Ministerial responsibility under the arrogant and incompetent Lennon Labor Government,” Mr Hodgman said.

“Whenever there is bad news, Lennon Labor Government Ministers are nowhere to be seen.”

Mr Hodgman said he would be seeking a briefing from the Justice Department into the latest scandal to rock the overcrowded Risdon Prison.

“But in the meantime, it is important that Judy Jackson the Minister responsible does not duck her responsibilities, as she is so wont to do, but instead comes clean on what exactly transpired and how it is possible that a prisoner in Division 8 could have armed himself with makeshift weapons and held two other inmates hostage.

“It would appear on the face of things that there are very serious security issues that need to be addressed.”

Mr Hodgman said he was repeatedly praising the work of custodial officers at Risdon Prison, who are disgracefully under-resourced, understaffed and overworked.

He said congratulations for a successful diffusing of Friday’s incident certainly appeared to be in order; but this did not absolve the Attorney General of her responsibility to provide answers to the community in relation to the incident.

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Kim Booth MHA

Tuesday, 3 MAY 2005

GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE FARMERS SUPPORT PACKAGE IN STATE BUDGET
Regional Branding with Clean Green Produce Key To Prosperity
The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Lennon government to provide a Primary Producers Support package in the forthcoming State Budget to help counter farmers’ concerns that local industries could be hit by supermarkets sourcing their vegetable goods from cheaper alternatives off-shore, in light of negotiations over the Australian-China Free Trade Agreement.
Greens Opposition Primary Industries and Water spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that differentiation of Tasmanian produce is going to be the key to local producers’ survival, and that the government must develop and fund a policy which delivers training, diversification assistance, Brand monitoring and strong marketing campaigns.
“The Lennon government to get behind local farmers and provide real assistance, in order to differentiate Tasmania’s primary produce from other sources to help counter concerns that local industries could be hit by supermarkets sourcing their vegetable goods from cheaper alternatives off-shore,” Mr Booth said.
The Greens believe that the State Budget must provide a support package which addresses the following:
• Government policy to promote and support the market differentiation of Tasmania’s high quality produce;
• Programs assessing current growing methods and identifying potential opportunities for individual producers. These programs would include government assistance for On Farm Environmental Management Systems (EMS) to assist in EUREPGP accreditation, sourcing high quality seed, comprehensive water audits, use of sensitive pest control methods, soil maintenance etc;
• Programs assessing current employment strategies, and harvesting methods and identifying potential improvements for individual producers;
• National and International marketing programs. The State should be actively seeking out high-quality markets and opportunities to promote positive attributes such as clean, green and GE free, Hormonal Growth Promotant (HGP) free meat, the organics industry, clean air and clean water;

• Programs to monitor Tasmanian Brand control, to ensure all produce under the Tasmanian Brand meets the highest possible standard and criteria.
“This package should not be a one-off but instead be a kick-start of an ongoing government funded policy initiative that reflects the importance of the primary industry sector to the Tasmanian economy,” Mr Booth said.
“The bad news regarding supermarket intentions to import food from China, or anywhere in the world that can produce for the cheapest rate, is no surprise and confirms the Greens position on the importance of real branding, chain of custody, and the absolute importance of protecting and promoting product diversity through Tasmania’s Clean Green and G. E. free brand.”
“These serious market access issues facing Tasmanian primary producers do also present an opportunity if approached cleverly, and if the Labor government gets behind its farmers and develops strategies to differentiate Tasmanian produce and promote that produce accordingly.”
“Differentiation of Tasmanian produce from its off-shore competition will be the key to the survival of this vital sector, with the obvious selling point being clean, green and GE free.”
“These cartels only represent the interests of their directors and often foreign shareholders, they do not live in or depend on a local community.”
“We now have the outrageous situation where Tasmanian producers are seeing, not only processed products from China and elsewhere pushing their products off the shelves, but also the spectre of Tasmanian processors rejecting local produce in favour of offshore product.”
“There is nothing level about the international farming field, Tasmanian farmers meet higher land costs, vastly higher labour and insurance costs and environmental protection requirements than those exploited foreign producers.”
“Tasmania’s primary industry sector has an incredible opportunity to penetrate high priced global markets for regionally branded, Clean Green and GE free food, but only if we are absolutely serious about our brand, and only if Labor acts to help maximise that brand.”
“Our farmers cannot do it all.”
Mr Booth also said that merely telling farmers to improve their efficiency to ward off potential impacts of vegetable processors shifting off-shore in response to supermarkets’ buying-power is no help at all and missed the point that it will be impossible for the farming sector to compete with cheap Chinese imports.

“Tasmanian farmers run a pretty lean operation as it is but no matter how more efficient they become, they will not be able to compete on the same level with cheap imports from countries which have greater economy of scale, and rely on exploitative work practices, and nor should they want to have to resort to similar practices.”
“The main opportunity that this push by the supermarkets provides us is to maximise the reputation of the Tasmanian produce brand as being high quality, and grown in enviable clean, green, GE free conditions, and if the Lennon government is serious about looking after our farmers it will front up with a funded package in the State Budget,” Mr Booth said.

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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Tuesday May 3, 2005

Liberals commit to Landcare

A Hidding Liberal Government would provide ongoing funding of $150,000 per year to the Tasmanian Landcare Association, to ensure it is appropriately resourced to carry out its vital environmental works.

This is in addition to the $50,000 grant provided to the Tasmanian Landcare Association to administer to individual Landcare groups.

Opposition Leader Rene Hidding and Shadow Primary Industries, Water and Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff announced the new State Liberal Policy Position Statement in Hobart today.

The Liberals’ commitment to the Tasmanian Landcare Association is in stark contrast to the arrogant attitude of the Lennon Labor Government, which, despite building up a $400 million warchest for the next election, has baulked at providing funding to ensure the peak group’s survival, some 18

1 Comment

Bryan

May 1, 2005 at 12:23

Re Gay Marriage

If people want to do something, that makes them happy, (and equal) and it does not interfere with the rights or enjoyment of others, then why not allow them to do it?

The opposition to it comes from those who would deny to others freeedoms they enjoy themselves. The alternative is that it is based on some narrow religious ideology.

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1 Comment

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