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SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Health
Friday May 27, 2005
Labor cannot manage health
Shadow Health Minister Sue Napier said the latest Australian Institute of Health and Welfare report on elective surgery waiting lists would only further reinforce in the Tasmanian community’s mind the fact that the Lennon Labor Government is an incompetent administrator of health.
Mrs Napier said the detailed breakdown of waiting times for particular types of elective surgery made for horrifying reading.
Mrs Napier said Tasmanians were sick and tired of the Lennon Labor Government continually making claims that it was addressing the public health crisis, while things simply went from bad to worse.
“Since Labor took office, public hospital waiting lists have blown out by 24 per cent.
“And the AIHW clearly places Tasmania at the bottom of the barrel in most elective surgery areas. For example, 8.2 per cent of public patients in Tasmania were forced to wait more than 365 days for neurosurgery compared with 2.8 per cent in the next worse performing jurisdiction, the ACT.
“A staggering 43.3 per cent of public patients waited more than a year for ophthalmology, compared with 2.7 per cent just across Bass Strait in Victoria.
“More than 32 per cent of public patients waited more than a year for orthopaedic surgery, compared with 13 per cent in the next worse performing jurisdiction, the ACT, and for vascular surgery, Tasmania was again the worst performing state, with 10.3 per cent of patients waiting more than a year.
“These are truly shocking statistics and behind every one of them is a Tasmanian enduring pain and suffering as they languish on our waiting lists.
“This is at a time when it continually claims to be spending record amounts on health.
“The plain fact of the matter is the Lennon Labor Government mismanages the health system.
“This is one of the reasons why, in his Budget Reply speech to State Parliament, Liberal leader Rene Hidding announced the establishment of Performance Review Panels in the major public hospitals to help ensure that health funding actually hits the ground.
These panels would improve throughput and get results, by maximising surgery time, the numbers of procedures, reduce the incidence of surgery cancellation, and flag those Tasmanians who have been waiting for unnecessarily long times for their surgery.
The make-up of the PRP will not be health bureaucrats but instead will consist of a small number of high-level, independent representatives drawn from the Tasmanian community.
They will be charged with adopting a more corporate business focus to running our public hospitals, and keeping tight pressure on ensuring the very best quality hospital services that can be provided for the people of this State. This goes to capital planning for our hospitals, an issue where Labor has consistently dropped the ball.
“The PRP will be able to identify problems before they escalate, monitor and achieve Key Performance Indicators to reduce elective surgery waiting lists and increase day surgery rates.
“They will be provided with 12-month budgets with forward estimates and fully devolved responsibility for human resource management and appointments within the hospital system, forward planning in relation to capital development, equipment and the use of new technologies and workplace planning.”
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WORKPLACE RELATIONS REFORM WILL BOOST JOBS GROWTH AND WAGES
Friday 27 May, 2005
Union opposition to the Howard Government’s workplace relations reform is more about trade unions trying to improve their paltry 17% union membership in the private sector than trying to improving the lot of Australians, Senator Guy Barnett said today.
“And given that the Labor Party derives some of its income from compulsory union affiliations dues it is no wonder that Labor MPs are out there doing the bidding of their union masters,” Senator Barnett said.
“The facts are that the wages accords between the ACTU and the Hawke and Keating Governments delivered less than 2% real wages growth for Australians between 1983 and 1995, while since 1996 real wages growth under the Howard Government has reached 14% – plus 1.6 million new jobs,” he said.
“These facts are the credentials of the Howard Government on workplace reform. Just look at John Howard’s record – don’t swallow the predictable rhetoric from Kim Beazley and the ACTU,” Senator Barnett said.
“Under John Howard working Australians have enjoyed real wages growth of 14%, low inflation, low interest rates, low unemployment rates and phenomenal employment growth.
“Tasmanian businesses will benefit from reforms to unfair dismissal laws that will create a climate for more jobs while protecting the rights of employees,” he said.
He said Tasmania would benefit because the State is the small business capital of Australia, with more than 50% of the private sector workforce employed in small business, against 48% nationally.
“If the ALP and unions in Tasmania were serious about supporting workers they would have made sure that GST windfall funds were used in last week’s State Budget to phase out the anti worker payroll tax, which has skyrocketed by 18% since 2003 to almost $200 million a year,” Senator Barnett said.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Friday, 27 MAY 2005
$4.5 MILLION CUT TO FORESTRY TASMANIA PAYMENTS TO TREASURY
Community Anger Predicted
The Tasmanian Greens today revealed that there has been a cut of $4.5 million in the amount Forestry Tasmania is required to pay to government in the Lennon Budget 2005-06, and predicted a community backlash.
Greens Opposition Leader and Forestry spokesperson Peg Putt MHA finds it incredible that the government would have found a way to cut further the required payments of Forestry Tasmania in the context of ongoing poor return on equity, and adverse comment about the small amount paid to the public purse whilst logging volumes have been increasing.
“The Budget papers show that Paul Lennon has agreed to reduce Forestry Tasmania’s required payments to the public purse by $4.5 million and that is an outrage given their ongoing poor financial return for ever increasing logging volumes,” Ms Putt said.
“Already the poor return on equity made by Forestry Tasmania has been a matter of community concern, and they recently dropped their target of a 7% return on equity notified to a Parliamentary hearing a couple of years ago.”
“How on earth can Paul Lennon be party to excusing another $4.5 million of payments by Forestry Tasmania to the public purse, does he think they operate solely to help private forestry companies make money?”
“The official excuse for this sudden change to these regular payments is an agreement between Forestry and Treasury to classify a range of their activities as tax deductible that were never deductible before, but that is pretty thin and it is more likely that Forestry Tasmania desperately needs to hold onto the cash.”
“Many Tasmanians are going to be angry when they discover this largesse towards Forestry Tasmania and it will reinforce concerns that taxpayers are getting a very bad deal.”
Reference: 2005-06 Budget Paper No. 1, Table A2.7, page 286.
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Joint Media Statement
Michael Ferguson Mark Baker
Federal Member for Bass Federal Member for Braddon
$35 MILLION IN TASMANIAN AGED CARE FUNDING
27 May 2005
Tasmania’s Federal Liberal MHRs have today welcomed the announcement of a major funding boost for the Home and Community Care (HACC) programme in Tasmania.
The Australian Government has committed $35.292 million to projects in this State.
Braddon MHR Mark Baker and Bass MHR Michael Ferguson said this represented an increase in funding this financial year of $2.718m to boost the level of HACC services provided in Tasmania.
“An additional $1.5m has also been provided to establish new services and build up the capacity of existing service delivery,” Mr Ferguson said.
“Particular emphasis has been placed on enhancing services such as Centre Based Day Care, Personal Care and Domestic Assistance.”
Mr Baker said that HACC services allow frail aged people and young people with disabilities to remain in their own homes with the support of their families.
“We know the majority of people prefer to continue living in their own homes, and HACC services can provide them with that option as well as a higher level of independence,” Mr Baker said.
“HACC is a joint Australian, state and territory government program with the Australian Government contributing 60 per cent of the funding across the country.”
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SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Racing
Friday May 27, 2005
Lennon’s promises to harness racing turn to mud
Shadow Racing Minister Sue Napier today said the State Labor Government and TOTE’s harness racing centre at Brighton was further evidence of their failure to get things right, given the problems being experienced by harness racing trainers, especially in the wet .
An open day will be held tomorrow at the $4.5 million redevelopment and while the State Labor Government will no doubt crow about its so-called commitment to the racing industry, the fact remains that harness racing trainers and owners are furious about being treated like second-class citizens.
This is a time that the State Labor Government’s so-called commitment to the Tasmanian racing industry is also in serious doubt as a result of its dalliance with Betfair, amid reports that it is looking increasingly likely that the State Government will issue the betting exchange a Tasmanian licence a move that could spell disaster for the entire industry which employs some 8000 people.
Mrs Napier said problems being experienced by harness trainers and owners was another classic example of the Lennon Labor Government’s failure to deliver on their promises.
“The new track is causing major problems for both horses and drivers,” Mrs Napier said.
“Apparently the clay base was not properly sealed before the gravel was applied, causing horses to break through the surface in the wet. This is a safety issue for drivers, due to the clay being flung into their faces, and can contribute to horses becoming lame.
“Two days of rain is all that is needed to render the track useless. I am told the surface and the offending layer of clay needs to be ripped off, to be replaced with a proper layer of sealant and then a good gravel surface.
“Furthermore, the Brighton complex provides for a large and a small track the former being the poorly constructed clay track, which is currently being closed at 11am, thus preventing harness trainers from getting enough access to a training track.
“The small track, designed for speed work, also closes at 11am.
“This is crazy, and there is a need for the small track to be open, if not all day, then at least for a period in the afternoon so that trainers can work their horses.
“Before the Brighton track collocation project, both tracks were open all day for harness training.”
Mrs Napier said the harness racing fraternity rightly felt that they were being treated like the poor cousins of the racing industry by the TOTE and the Lennon Labor Government.
“While I am getting very good feedback from the thoroughbred industry, harness and greyhound racing stakeholders feel they are getting the crumbs.
“The Labor Government and TOTE’s handling of the Brighton track redevelopment has angered many in the harness racing industry and is just another example of Paul Lennon’s promises not being delivered.”
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries
Thursday May 26, 2005
Loss of Tasmanian potato contract with
McDonalds another blow to farmers
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Jeremy Rockliff today said that Simplot’s decision to cut 15% of its Tasmanian potato contract following the loss of its exclusive McDonalds supply status is yet another enormous blow to Tasmanian farmers.
Mr Rockliff said that Tasmanian potato farmers would be shocked and worried about their long-term futures after receiving this advice from Simplot.
“The 15% cut in the Simplot potato contract is a big blow to many Tasmanian farmers,” Mr Rockliff said.
“Tasmania has a reputation for producing clean, green products that can be trusted and which will ensure that our farms and crops remain viable.
“Clearly though, more must be done to develop markets and promote our productive, high quality produce to ensure companies such as McDonalds have no choice but to select Tasmanian products.
“I call on Primary Industries Minister, Steven Kons and Economic Development Minister, Lara Giddings, both responsible for the State of Growth, to ramp up their efforts to ensure that our marketing strategies get through to key domestic and international markets and farmers don’t lose any more contracts or miss out on any further opportunities.
“I would also hope that Simplot when implementing its contract cut takes into account the financial situation of farmers and the welfare of Tasmanian families.
“The loss of our billion dollar plus fresh food industry would be a disaster for Tasmania, but with hard work, there is no doubt that the industry will go on for years to come,” Mr Rockliff said.
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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
TRUCKS CONTINUE TO ROLL
Minister Contradicts Himself over Ability to Change Regulations as Exemptions Revealed
The Tasmanian Greens today continued their campaign on road safety in the heavy vehicle industry and revealed the disturbing fact that at the same time as log trucks were overrepresented in rollovers, due to serious instability issues, the Department was granting weight limit exemptions to the very class of vehicle that were rolling over.
Greens Opposition Infrastructure spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that the Minister had previously stated that he was unable to move on advice to implement load and speed limits as that would result in an inconsistency with the National Transport Council, but his department’s actions have since contradicted that position with the issuing of exemptions contrary to the National Transport Council agreement.
“In answer to questions from the Greens the Minister has consistently claimed that he was unable to alter National Transport Council agreements on specifications, and therefore he could not act on independent advice to impose speed and/or load restrictions,” Mr Booth said.
“Yet the Minister had to admit today that his department has issued exemptions which are contrary to current National Transport Council agreements on specifications, by granting an increase of overall mass on vehicles with airbag suspensions, under the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Notice 2003.”
“So on one hand Minister Green was saying he couldn’t adopt safety recommendations as that would be in breach of the National Transport Council agreement, while on the other hand his department authorised exemptions to specifications of that agreement, which actually exacerbated dangers associated with truck rollovers.”
“The Minister could have brought in the height limit on these vehicles with the stroke of his pen.”
“At the same time as these log trucks were overturning like ninepins, this Government was granting exemptions to national agreements to allow them to carry even more weight.”
“The Minister has previously claimed that he was unable to act, this has now proven not to be the case, and he needs to explain why he has misled Parliament.”
“This is a serious safety issue where the risk of serious injury and death is now more likely to occur as a result of the trucks becoming more unstable with the additional weight granted.”
“The Minister now has no excuse to not only remove the special exemption he has granted, but also implement the 3.8 metre max height as suggested by professional engineering advice.”
“This Government has a habit of misleading Parliament and prevaricating, but this issue is far to deadly for the Minister to play games with.”
“There is no logical reason for the granting of additional weight and it is now clear that safety of drivers and the travelling public must take priority over profit.”
“The Minister has misled Parliament – he should now act or resign,” Mr Booth said.
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PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
SUE NAPIER, MHA
State Liberal Members for Bass
Thursday May 26, 2005
Waverley Woollen Mills
State Liberal Members for Bass, Sue Napier and Peter Gutwein have today lent their support to management and employees of the Waverley Woollen Mills in their bid to save the company and local jobs.
Mr Gutwein and Mrs Napier also called on the Minister for Economic Development, Lara Giddings, to instruct her Department to work pro-actively with the company’s receiver to provide every opportunity to ensure that Waverley Woollen Mills survives.
“The retaining of these 90 local jobs and what is a Northern Tasmanian industry icon, the Waverley Woollen Mills, is crucial,” Mrs Napier said.
“Both myself and Mr Gutwein have been in close contact with the management and some members of the staff of Waverley Woollen Mills, to ensure we are kept fully aware of their current situation and seek ways in which we can assist.
Mr Gutwein said that the company’s management has told us that with appropriate support the company and all the 90 local jobs can be saved and he urged Minister Giddings to instruct the Department of Economic Development to immediately begin working with the Waverley Woollen Mills saying that its demise would deeply affect the local economy.
“Tasmania has a proud history of successful and high-quality textile companies, including the Waverley Woollen Mills, Australian Weaving Mills in Devonport and the Blundstone company in the northern suburbs of Hobart,” Mrs Napier said.
“It would be a sad day if we were to lose a major part of this historic industry and all of the jobs associated with it,” Mrs Napier said.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
WIELANGTA BULLDOZER ASSAULT!
Forests Deal Hopelessly Inadequate
The Tasmanian Greens today are dismayed that despite the Howard-Lennon fanfare over their forests deal a bulldozer has gone into the Wielangta forest, a recognised biodiversity hot spot where a rare plant species was very recently discovered in the proposed logging coupe now subject to bulldozing.
Greens Opposition Leader and spokesperson for Forests Peg Putt MHA said today’s bulldozing exposed the forest deal as hopelessly inadequate, and that although protection was promised in the Wielangta forest it is business as usual for forestry today.
“The Howard-Lennon forests deal has not stopped the bulldozers going into the Wielangta forest even though this is a recognised biodiversity hotspot and protection was promised in the forests announcement,” Ms Putt said.
“There has been no halt to forestry activity at Wielangta, with a bulldozer pushing over trees preparatory to the full logging assault which will commence at any moment.”
“This biodiversity hotspot features an extraordinary number and concentration of threatened species including wedge-tailed eagle, broad-toothed stag beetle, Tasmanian devil, swift parrots, spotted quolls and numerous floral species.”
“Just three weeks ago the rare ‘tiny midge’ orchid was discovered in the area where the bulldozer is now active, yet apparently this has been ignored in forestry planning to log on regardless.”
“If the forest deal hasn’t stopped logging preparations in Wielangta, then its clear that we are being sold a very bad deal for our forests.”
“Just what, if anything, will be protected at Wielangta, and when?” Ms Putt said.
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Thursday May 26, 2005
Devil quarantine strategy in grave doubt
Shadow Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff today said serious questions remained about the State Labor Government’s devil strategy, because it had arrogantly failed to heed State Opposition warnings about sourcing devils for quarantine from the Narawntapu National Park an area which Labor Government documents confirm has recorded incidences of the facial tumour disease.
Mr Rockliff said that for the moment, he would accept Environment Minister Judy Jackson’s assurances that a devil which is being isolated at Richmond, and which has contracted the disease, was never housed at the Taroona quarantine facility. This is despite information the State Liberals have received to the contrary.
But Mr Rockliff said there was no doubt the State Government had bungled the devil quarantine strategy by taking devils for quarantine from an area known to have recorded incidences of the disease.
He said sadly, it was probably just a matter of time before a quarantined devil turned up with the disease, and potentially infected others, because the State Labor Government had failed to minimise the risks.
Earlier this year, prior to the collection of Tasmanian Devils from the Narawntapu National Park, Mr Rockliff called for a halt to the process as Freedom of Information Documents revealed that there has been possible recorded incidences of the devil facial tumour disease within the immediate region.
In fact a briefing note to then Minister Bryan Green in late 2003, obtained by the State Liberals under Freedom of Information, said: “to date, DFTD has been found active at Narawntapu National Park.”
Another briefing note to Bryan Green also says in relation to Narawntapu:
“In 2001/02, that several ulcerated devils were photographed there and the population declined.”
In correspondence relating to the disease which was addressed to DPIWE officers, researcher Dr Menna Jones noted in April 2003: “prevalence appears to be quite widespread in the state, from Buckland to Narawntapu.”
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Nick McKim MHA
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
GREENS RESPOND TO BRAND TASMANIA ANNOUNCEMENT
Move to DED is OK, But What About Authenticity?
The Tasmanian Greens today responded to the Minister for Economic Development’s announcement that the Brand Tasmania Council would be moving to the Department of Economic Development by saying that the crucial factor which needed to be addressed is a lack of authenticity in Tasmania’s brand.
Greens Member for Franklin Nick McKim MHA said that with Tasmania’s high conservation value forests being destroyed for record woodchip profits, and 1080 baiting targeting threatened species set to continue indefinitely, the Brand Tasmania Council should focus on ensuring that the rhetoric behind Tasmania’s brand is backed up by fact.
“It is all very well to talk about and advertise our brand values, but unless there is authenticity it will be money down the drain,” Mr McKim said.
“The simple fact is that Tasmania’s brand values are based to a large degree on a fraud, and we need to concentrate on ensuring that the rhetoric is matched by reality.”
“While we are still clearfelling high conservation forest and deliberately poisoning threatened species with 1080, we cannot legitimately claim to be clean and green,” Mr McKim said.
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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
BRAND TASMANIA IN TROUBLE AS RED MEAT ‘LUCKY DIP’ IS REVEALED
Greens Alternative Budget Programs Solution To Product Integrity
The Tasmanian Greens today highlighted the crisis facing product integrity in red meat retailed in Tasmania, which reinforced the initiatives in Quality Assurance and brand management outlined in the fully funded Greens’ Alternative Budget 2005-2006 released this week.
Greens Opposition Primary Industry and Water spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that the revelation by TFGA Meat Council Chairman David Byard that Tasmanian customers had no way of knowing where their red meat was coming from showed that the $170 million red meat industry was in crisis and that government inaction has exacerbated the problem.
“This may be news to the public but I questioned Minister Kons on these issues during last year’s Budget Estimates where he dismissed the issue as being a matter for Consumer Affairs to deal with and further handballed the curly question to the Director of Agriculture, Mr Rod Gobbey who confirmed that there were no regulatory measures governing the integrity of meat sold under the Blue Label program in Tasmania,” Mr Booth said.
“The reality is that we have no way of knowing how much interstate product is coming in to Tasmania, no way of knowing if meat sold as Tasmanian actually is and further the government has so neglected the once recognised Blue Label beef program that it is not even underpinned by any kind of regulatory structure.”
“This government is playing fast and loose with Tasmania’s hard won Clean, Green image and unless the Minister starts getting serious about investing in red meat inspectors and paddock-to-plate chain of custody in the sector he is going to find himself in the middle of a contamination event or worse.”
“Last year’s smug response that it was a matter to be dealt with under the Trade Practices Act won’t wash this year and I’m putting Mr Kons on notice that I will be pursuing him over red meat integrity next week and he better have some answers,” Mr Booth said.
Initiatives in the Greens’ Alternative Budget 2005 – 2006 include,
• $400 000 to fund a Clean, Green and GE Free Brand Analysis, Quality Control and Promotion
• Relaunching of the HGP Free Blue Label beef program and investigation of a parallel Pink Label lamb program to be undertaken.
The Greens’ Alternative Budget 2005 – 2006 is available online at www.tas.greens.org.au
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Tim Morris MHA
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
AMBULANCE STAFF RECEIVE INTIMIDATING LETTERS FROM HEALTH DEPARTMENT
Minister Must Apologise
The Tasmanian Greens today revealed in Parliament that staff of the Ambulance Service who had spoken out regarding concerns of staffing levels had received letters from the Department’s Deputy Secretary which they considered intimidating, and have called on the Health Minister to apologise.
Greens Opposition Health and Human Services spokesperson Tim Morris MHA said that the threatening Departmental letters are designed to actively discourage staff from speaking out when concerned about inappropriate work practises which could potentially put clients at risk, which contradicts previous statements by Minister Llewellyn who congratulated nurses at Ward 1E for speaking out.
“The letter from the Health Department’s Deputy Secretary states:
“I have been made aware of an allegation that you may have breached the Tasmanian Ambulance Service Standard Operating Procedure for providing information to the media in that at 5.21pm on Thursday 28 April 2005 in a telephone conversation with a caller who identified herself as “Susan from the ABC” you made statements about staffing levels and resourcing issues within the Service…”
“This letter from the Deputy Secretary suggests that there is a punitive approach within the Health Department which effectively intimidates staff and personnel into being quiet and not speaking out about serious matters which concerns them,” Mr Morris said.
“How intimidating for someone who answers a question put to them, to then receive a letter from the Department’s Deputy Secretary detailing to the minute of when the conservation took place, and that the matter will be examined further.”
“If the Health Department put in an equivalent degree of attention and energy into addressing staff and patient care as they do in their ‘Big Brother’ surveillance of their employees, we would have a vastly improved public health system.”
“It is very disappointing that Minister Llewellyn did not issue an apology this morning when requested.”
“Minister Llewellyn must issue an unconditional apology to any ambulance personnel who received such a letter and ensure that any further persecution of these staff members does not occur.”
“His bullying attitude does not sit well with the caring image Minister Llewellyn tried to project when he endorsed the behaviour of the brave nurses who spoke out about their concerns at Ward 1E.”
“The issue here is not about an industrial dispute, the issue is heavy-handed belligerent approach of the Department to their own staff.”
“Bullying behaviour like this does nothing to help any retention program the Minister may be trying to implement to keep our much needed staff in the public ambulance and health system,” Mr Morris said.
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Kim Booth MHA
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
TRUCKS CONTINUE TO ROLL
Minister Contradicts Himself over Ability to Change Regulations as Exemptions Revealed
The Tasmanian Greens today continued their campaign on road safety in the heavy vehicle industry and revealed the disturbing fact that at the same time as log trucks were overrepresented in rollovers, due to serious instability issues, the Department was granting weight limit exemptions to the very class of vehicle that were rolling over.
Greens Opposition Infrastructure spokesperson Kim Booth MHA said that the Minister had previously stated that he was unable to move on advice to implement load and speed limits as that would result in an inconsistency with the National Transport Council, but his actions have since contradicted that position with the issuing of exemptions contrary to the National Transport Council agreement.
“In answer to questions from the Greens the Minister has consistently claimed that he was unable to alter National Transport Council agreements on specifications, and therefore he could not act on independent advice to impose speed and/or load restrictions,” Mr Booth said.
“Yet the Minister had to admit today that his department has issued exemptions which are contrary to current National Transport Council agreements on specifications, by granting an increase of overall mass on vehicles with airbag suspensions, under the Vehicle and Traffic (Vehicle Operations) Notice 2003.”
“So on one hand Minister Green was saying he couldn’t adopt safety recommendations as that would be in breach of the National Transport Council agreement, while on the other hand he was authorising exemptions to specifications of that agreement, which actually exacerbated dangers associated with truck rollovers.”
“The Minister could have brought in the height limit on these vehicles with the stroke of his pen.”
“At the same time as these log trucks were overturning like ninepins, this Government was granting exemptions to national agreements to allow them to carry even more weight.”
“The Minister has previously claimed that he was unable to act, this has now proven not to be the case, and he needs to explain why he has misled Parliament.”
“This is a serious safety issue where the risk of serious injury and death is now more likely to occur as a result of the trucks becoming more unstable with the additional weight granted.”
“The Minister now has no excuse to not only remove the special exemption he has granted, but also implement the 3.8 metre max height as suggested by professional engineering advice.”
“This Government has a habit of misleading Parliament and prevaricating, but this issue is far to deadly for the Minister to play games with.”
“There is no logical reason for the granting of additional weight and it is now clear that safety of drivers and the travelling public must take priority over profit.”
“The Minister has misled Parliament – he should now act or resign,” Mr Booth said.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Thursday, MAY 26 2005
PREMIER IN DIFFICULTY OVER KEN BACON AFFAIR
Belligerent Refusal To Answer in Parliament
The Tasmanian Greens today condemned the Premier for his failure to answer their specific question over his apparent acknowledgement that the events described by former Tourism Minister Ken Bacon took place, and over his attempt to excuse himself by making fine distinctions between instructions and advice emanating from his office.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA believes it is obvious that the Premier is in trouble over his alleged undermining of the important principle of accountability of Ministers to Parliament, and has now himself decided not to properly answer questions on the matter in an attempt to limit the damage.
Ms Putt noted the irony of the Premier foreshadowing a refusal to allow his Chief of Staff to be questioned on the matter at next weeks’ Budget Estimates Hearings.
“The Premier is in deep trouble over the Ken Bacon matter and his belligerent refusal to answer on the nub of the matter betrays the extent of his difficulty,” Ms Putt said.
“The Premier would not acknowledge his responsibility for the actions of his Chief of Staff and has made it clear that he will not allow his Chief of Staff to be questioned over this issue at Budget Estimates Committee hearings next week.”
“Apparently the Premier’s strategy boils down to blustering and stonewalling, hoping that this damaging issue will somehow blow over now that his resort to ‘weasel words’ has been exposed.”
“We had a deja vu situation today, where Paul Lennon repeated the very same pattern which got Ken Bacon into so much trouble, of refusing to answer questions and then resorting to personal attacks.”
“His claim that others might turn Estimates Committee hearings into a farce over the Ken Bacon matter is a bit rich given that the whole issue arose out of the farcical performance of the former Minister at a previous Estimates hearing, which according to him was on instructions from the Premier’s office.”
“We will not stop asking questions and exposing the shortcomings of the Premier’s response until we get to the bottom of the matter,” Ms Putt said.
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Peg Putt MHA
GREENS OPPOSITION LEADER
Thursday, 26 MAY 2005
GREENS MOVE FOR
FIXED FOUR YEAR PARLIAMENTARY TERM
Bill for Writs to Be Issued 5th August 2006
The Tasmanian Greens today introduced a Private Members Bill to provide for a fixed four year Parliamentary Term which fixes the date for the dissolution of the House of Assembly and the issuing of writs for an election as the 5th of August 2006.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA introduced the measure in response to election speculation from the Liberals and the assertion of the Premier that such speculation causes uncertainty and a negative impact on business.
The Greens believe that the fairest and most sensible approach is to lock in an election date which is known by everyone and ensures that the Parliament runs its full term, as was done when a fixed four year term was legislated between 1992-1996 under Liberal Premier Ray Groom.
Other State Parliaments which operate to fixed four year 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, so the Greens have put forward a positive solution in the form of Private Members Bill to fix the time of the next election as is done in several other States.
“The date of dissolution of the House of Assembly and the issuing of writs for an election is fixed as the 5th August 2006 in my legislation.”
“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.”
“Both the other parties ought to support our Bill, Labor because the Premier is on record with his concerns over the adverse effect of continued election speculation and the Liberals because they are keen to know the election date and have previously legislated for a fixed four year term,” Ms Putt said.
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Thursday May 26, 2005
Animal rights activists an ‘extremist bunch of self-righteous, ill-informed bullies’
The Federal Member for Braddon, Mark Baker MP, has branded animal rights activists who have called for a boycott of King Island produce an ‘extremist bunch of self-righteous, ill-informed bullies’, and warned that they run the risk of being sued for compensation if their deceptive and misleading statements cause harm to producers.
Mr Baker said he was disgusted that animal rights activists were targeting King Island producers over the use of 1080 when it was used by farmers throughout Australia and quite heavily in New Zealand.
“Clearly, King Island is seen by these extremists as a soft target because its brand is well known around Australia, and indeed internationally,” he said.
“However, anyone who has visited King Island will know that it has a major problem with wallabies.
“They are literally in plague proportions with an estimated population well into the hundreds of thousands, and if they are not effectively controlled then they will run farmers out of business – which ironically seems to be the same aim of these animal rights activists.
“I very much doubt, however, that this extremist bunch of self-righteous, ill-informed bullies has ever visited the island or even spoken to a farmer about why they are forced to use 1080.
“Do they even realise that, if left unchecked, the wallaby population will eventually grow to the point that not only will farmers be devastated, but the animals themselves will suffer the more agonising and slower death of starvation?
“Local farmers will tell you that where costly wallaby-proof fencing has been erected they have found literally hundreds of animals starved to death along the fence.
“Is that really a more humane method of wallaby control?”
Mr Baker said calls by extremist animal rights activists for a boycott against King Island produce could backfire.
“Not only is it grossly unfair to target the entire island because a small number of farmers feel that they have no choice but to use 1080, but those advocating a boycott are also running the risk of being sued for compensation if their deceptive and misleading statements cause harm to producers,” he said.
“In our country, these extremists have every right to have their say, no matter how ill-informed they may be, but they should remember that others have legal rights too.”
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JEREMY ROCKLIFF, MHA
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries, Water and Environment
Thursday May 26, 2005
Labor’s bureaucratic bungling
delivers damaged brand to King Island
Shadow Primary Industries, Water and Environment Minister Jeremy Rockliff today said that Environment Minister, Judy Jackson’s bureaucratic bungling and obfuscation over a wallaby management plan had put the valuable King Island brand at risk.
Mr Rockliff said that Minister Jackson and the State Labor Government stand accused of delivering a damaged reputation to the King Island brand following unfair and irresponsible calls by extreme environmental groups to boycott King Island products such as its famous dairy products and quality meats.
“Minister Jackson has dropped the ball on the wallaby management plan which would allow King Island farmers to legally harvest wallabies, creating jobs and providing an economic boost to King Island,” Mr Rockliff said.
“The commercial harvesting of wallabies is a viable alternative to poisoning and would not only create jobs on the island, but also help protect the island’s native vegetation and the livelihoods of primary producers,” Mr Rockliff said.
“With an estimated Bennett’s Wallaby population of a staggering 550,000, a commercial harvest would be a terrific economic boon for the island.
“Instead of delivering these many benefits to King Island farmers and the King Island economy, Minister Jackson has been tardy, at best, over the wallaby management plan that the State Government has been responsible for that would allow for a legal wallaby harvest.
“It matters not whether Minister Jackson submits the management plan today, tomorrow or next week, the boycott call by extreme environmental groups has already attempted to deliver a tarnished reputation to King Island produce.
“If the Lennon Government had acted when I first raised this issue in State Parliament in April last year, this issue would not have been raised and the King Island high-quality image would have been fully maintained.
“I welcome the overdue announcement that they have, once again, submitted the wallaby management plan to the Federal Government, but it should have been done long ago, well before this boycott call had popped up,” Mr Rockliff said.
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PETER GUTWEIN, MHA
Shadow Minister for Education
Thursday May 26, 2005
Wriedt accuses teachers’ union of
push-polling over school reports
The Education Minister, Paula Wriedt, has today accused the Australian Education Union of using push-polling after it surveyed teachers over school reports, Shadow Education Minister, Peter Gutwein said today.
Mr Gutwein said that Minister Wriedt was asked to release details of the survey, designed to find out whether or not teachers were able to meet the Essential Learnings school reporting requirements by the end of the year, but refused.
“Minister Wriedt has today gone to the extraordinary length of criticising the teachers’ union and teachers in Tasmania over the simple matter of whether or not they can meet school reporting requirements,” Mr Gutwein said.
“Instead of releasing the results of the survey, Minister Wriedt accused the AEU of push polling to cover-up the Lennon Government’s shortfalls in helping teachers with reporting requirements.
“When it comes to education, the future of our children is paramount. But with many teachers still unsure about how to report against the new curriculum unfortunately students and their parents are going to be the losers as school reports could end up this year being effectively meaningless.
“And due to this incompetence by the Education Minister, many parents of school children are now being issued with interim school reports that say almost nothing about the individual performance or progress of their children.
Mr Gutwein said that the decision last week by Minister Wriedt to backdown and drop one key element of the Essential Learnings reporting requirements for this year was not going to satisfy teacher concerns in regards to reporting and assessing on the new curriculum.
“Instead of criticising teachers, Minister Wriedt should have listened to teachers and the State Liberals last year when it was clear that more time and support was required before reporting requirements of the new curriculum could be met.
“And unfortunately now, the Minister is shooting the messenger by criticising the teachers’ union rather than taking on board the legitimate concerns of teachers as demonstrated in the school reporting survey,” Mr Gutwein said.
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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday May 26, 2005
Disgraceful cover-up as the Premier refuses to allow chief of staff to answer simple questions on witness tampering scandal
Premier Paul Lennon has today arrogantly and secretively refused to allow his chief of staff to answer questions in relation to the Ken Bacon witness-tampering scandal at next week’s Budget estimates hearing for the Department of Premier and Cabinet, during which Mr Scott will be sitting at the table, alongside his Premier.
Opposition Leader Rene Hidding said today’s most enlightening refusal to allow questioning of Rod Scott was yet another example of the lengths the Premier is going to in order to cover up the scandal – a scandal so serious that it could force the resignation of Paul Lennon, as it relates to both contempt of Parliament and potential breaches of the Criminal Code.
Mr Hidding said that given the Premier’s arrogant attempts to stonewall questioning on this issue, and the moveable feast that his version of events has become, next week’s Budget Estimates hearing for the DPAC represented a perfect opportunity to clear the matter up once and for all.
But the Premier has refused to allow Rod Scott to answer questions on the affair, despite his key role in this affair. This is despite the fact that Mr Scott will be present at Monday’s hearings, ironically, to provide “advice”.
And this is despite the fact that TT Line’s chief executive officer and chairman were not only able to – but expected to – answer questions on the Minister’s behalf at the infamous GBE committee hearings.
“We have seen the Premier go from saying last week that he did not know what advice was given by Mr Scott to Mr Bacon – at a meeting which both Mr Lennon and Mr Scott were present at – to now saying that no “instruction” was given not to answer questions in relation to Spirit III.
“It is apparent that the Premier is trying to worm his way out of this using weasel words, but with each day, the smell surrounding this saga gets worse, because the story is constantly changing.
“It is not us making Rod Scott the key player. Mr Bacon alleges Rod Scott told him to say nothing in relation to Spirit III. He is the one who Mr Bacon says told him that as a Minister, he was not entitled to have an opinion. He is the one who Mr Bacon alleges told him not to write any more letters to the editor supporting Spirit III if he wanted to remain a Minister.
“It is entirely appropriate that Mr Scott is made available to answer questions on this matter at Budget Estimates, where he will be present, all day, providing “advice” to the Premier.
“But with typical arrogance and secrecy, Premier Paul Lennon has refused to make Mr Scott available for answering some simple questions.
“He is continuing to cover this affair up.
“And by doing so, Mr Lennon has ensured that this saga will continue to dog him and his Labor State Government.”
Mr Hidding said it was offensive to all Tasmanians for Mr Lennon to suggest that allowing questioning on this matter at Budget Estimates hearings would turn them into a “farce”.
“This is coming from the Premier who has turned Parliament into a farce by his refusal to answer questions. This is the Premier who we believe played an active role in turning GBE committee hearings for the TT Line into a farce, by allowing his chief of staff to tell a Minister not to answer questions.
“How dare this Premier talk about farce when he is the king of it. And his disgraceful cover-up of the Ken Bacon witness tampering scandal just proves this point beyond any shadow of a doubt.”
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WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Liberal Spokesman for the Royal Hobart Hospital
Thursday May 26, 2005
Five year DEM delay a disgrace
Liberal spokesman for the Royal Hobart Hospital today slammed the State Labor Government’s inexcusable delays in redeveloping the Royal’s Department of Emergency Medicine.
The delays so symptomatic of the Lennon Labor Government’s appalling mismanagement of health have been highlighted again with the shocking revelations of bodies being parked in corridors because of cramped conditions.
The Public Works Committee report tabled this week also did not reveal some of the other horror stories that emerged during the visit to the DEM by that committee, and Mr Hodgman himself as an observer.
“The DEM has clearly been in an appalling state for some years, and this only damns the Lennon Labor Government further for its delays in redeveloping the Royal’s DEM.”
Mr Hodgman said it was an outrage that the redevelopment of the DEM was reannounced in this year’s State Budget five years after it was first announced by the Labor State Government.
“The 2000/2001 State Budget papers showed $8.3 million would be spent on the redevelopment of the department of emergency medicine. It was to be completed in 2003.
“Every State Budget since then, this project has been reannounced.
“It was groundhog day again this year with the DEM redevelopment again reannounced.
“David Llewellyn can get as fired up as he likes and sling as many insults across the chamber.
“But nothing will divert attention from the fact that the five-year delay to this project is simply inexcusable and typical of the arrogant and incompetent manner in which this Lennon Labor Government operates.”
Mr Hodgman said that if the Minister was actually serious about patching up Labor’s holes of past neglect in this Budget, he would commit today to fast-tracking the building of the two new operating theatres and the expanded high dependency unit so that new staff appointments could actually operate and get elective waiting surgery lists down.
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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday May 26, 2005
Lennon Government’s Lyell Highway cynical diversions continue with dumping of Bridgewater Bridge
State Liberal Leader, Rene Hidding, today said that the arrogant Lennon Government‘s decision to dump the State’s biggest road infrastructure project, the new Bridgewater Bridge, was continuing a trend by the Government to deflect heat away from its Lyell Highway broken promises and under-funding.
Mr Hidding said that the Bridgewater Bridge dumping was the third diversion attempt in less than two days to cover the incompetent Lennon Government’s road funding shortfalls.
“Premier Lennon and his Infrastructure Minister, Bryan Green have copped a lot of heat from the Derwent Valley community, the RACT, from the State Liberals and from many others regarding their broken promises and under-funding of the Lyell Highway,” Mr Hidding said.
“On Tuesday, Premier Lennon and Minister Green blamed the Federal Government for “blackmailing” it into funding the Sisters Hills road, a road crying out for years to be fixed-up and which the State Labor Government wants to delay.
“Yesterday, the Lennon Government started blaming Tasmanian drivers and talking about speed limits to deflect attention away from its road funding shortfalls.
“And later in the afternoon, Minister Green attempted the world’s greatest diversionary tactic since Iraq’s Comical Ali claimed that Saddam’s army had destroyed the American forces by dumping the State’s biggest road infrastructure project, the new Bridgewater Bridge, leading Tasmanians to believe the Lyell Highway would automatically get the money.
“The Lennon Government’s diversionary tactic of dumping a massive road project, which had been bungled by them over a period of seven years was, at best, transparent and highly cynical.
“So now, not only does the Derwent Valley have an urgent re-building project un-funded by the State Labor Government, but the whole Tasmanian community will now have to put up with the Bridgewater bottleneck for many years under the Lennon Government’s plan.
“Premier Lennon and Minister Green should stop blaming others for its road funding shortfalls and spending its time coming up with tricky, cynical diversionary tactics.
“Tasmanians deserve better from this arrogant State Labor Government. They deserve a State Government which is adequately funding State roads and keeping our roads safe,” Mr Hidding said.
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Thursday May 26, 2005
Green admits Labor wanted a ‘go slow’ approach for Sisters Hills
The Lennon Labor Government has publicly admitted that if it had its way an upgrade of the notorious Sisters Hills stretch of the Bass Highway would not be completed for at least five years, possibly much longer, the Federal Member for Braddon, Mark Baker MP, said today.
Mr Baker said the State Minister for Infrastructure, Bryan Green, stated on ABC Radio this morning that: ‘we would prefer that money to be extended over say a five-year period as opposed to three ’.
“The Minister has blatantly admitted that the State Labor Government would not have provided the $15m it announced prior to the State Budget for Sisters Hills over three years if it had not been for the Australian Government’s demand for matching funding,” he said.
“Mr Green’s comments follow those of Premier Paul Lennon, who said on Sunday that the Labor Government had been ‘blackmailed’ into committing funding for the Bass Highway.
“For the record, and as I have said on many occasions, I am proud that it was a requirement of the Australian Government’s $15m commitment to the Sisters Hills road that the State Government match that funding on a dollar for dollar basis.
“What has been demonstrated again by the Minister’s comments is that if we had not required a matching commitment, then Labor would have taken a ‘go slow’ approach, exactly as we had feared, and this dangerous road would not have been fixed for at least five years, if not much longer.
“Bryan Green has shown his true colours. He is playing communities in the North-West and South off against each other, while trying to cast the Australian Government as a scapegoat for the Labor’s abysmal failure to adequately fund State roads.
“The fact is that the Lennon Labor Government is the most cashed-up in Tasmanian history and yet it continues to cry poor and abrogate its responsibilities to maintain State roads.
“It’s time to ask Bryan Green and Paul Lennon what part of ‘State roads’ don’t they understand.”
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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Wednesday May 25, 2005
Lennon Government bungles and dumps Bridgewater Bridge project to deflect Lyell Highway heat
State Liberal Leader, Rene Hidding, today slammed the arrogant Lennon Labor Government over its bungling of one of the State’s biggest ever road infrastructure projects, the new Bridgewater Bridge, and today’s dumping of the project in a cynical attempt to deflect heat away from its Lyell Highway broken promises.
“In a desperate attempt to divert attention away from its massive under-funding of the Lyell Highway, the arrogant State Labor Government has today dumped the largest road project in Tasmania, the Bridgewater Bridge,” Mr Hidding said.
“Premier Lennon and his infrastructure Minister, Bryan Green, have been caught with their pants down on the Lyell Highway’s under-funding and now they have been caught out bungling and then dumping the $100 million Bridgewater Bridge project.
“For seven years, the State Labor Government has failed in its ability to provide adequate planning for a new Bridgewater Bridge. If it wasn’t their messing about on the height of the bridge, it was a bungling of the Bridge’s heritage issues.
“Today, the State Labor Government have confirmed that, after seven years, they have nothing to show the Tasmanian community, but a series of mess-ups. Clearly, it became too hard for them, so they just trashed the project altogether.
“And for Minister Green to now suggest in a media statement that the Federal Government will simply agree to divert the $100 million in Commonwealth Government funding for the Bridge to other road projects is highly presumptuous and a high risk strategy.
“This sort of behaviour simply shows the State Labor Government to be amateurish when it comes to negotiating on Commonwealth Government funds for our roads.
“Quite clearly, the dumping of the Bridgewater Bridge project, the largest road project in the State, demonstrates that this arrogant State Labor Government has no ability to manage Tasmania’s roads,” Mr Hidding said.
Notwithstanding the Lennon Government’s actions in putting this $100 million at risk, Mr Hidding said the State Liberals would have urgent discussions with Tasmanian Federal Liberal members to determine the best way to retain the committed funding for Tasmania.
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RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Wednesday May 25, 2005
Lennon’s version of events on witness tampering scandal a moveable feast: Smell surrounding this saga gets worse as Premier contradicts himself yet again
More glaring inconsistencies have emerged today in Premier Paul Lennon’s version of events relating to the Ken Bacon witness-tampering scandal.
Today, Mr Lennon has claimed in Parliament that no instruction whatsoever was given to the Minister prior to his attendance at GBE committee hearings for the TT Line.
This is despite Mr Bacon’s oft-repeated and previously uncontradicted claims to the contrary.
And this is despite the fact that Mr Lennon told reporters in Launceston on Friday that he didn’t know what advice was provided by Mr Scott, and his repeated claims that he would not investigate to find out.
In fact, it would also seem the Premier is trying to weasel his way out of this situation by making some distinction between advice and instruction.
In doing so, he is now calling Ken Bacon dishonest.
“We have gone from the Premier not being aware of any instruction, then not knowing what advice was given, and not being prepared to investigate, to now claiming no instruction was given at all; implying it was only advice.
“Anyone who knows how the brutal machinations of the Labor Party work would know that the Premier’s chief minder telling Mr Bacon to say nothing is clearly an instruction and not advice.
“And if we are to believe what the Premier said last Friday, how can he now say there was no instruction, given that he will not investigate to find out what advice was or was not given by Mr Scott.
“Of course Mr Lennon’s claims that he did not know what advice was given to Mr Bacon in the first place never stacked up, given that we have established that Mr Lennon, Mr Bacon, Mr Scott and Mr Roberts were all in the room at the time.
“And if the Premier has established that no instruction was given why on earth has he not asked Mr Bacon to retract his allegations allegations so serious that they could force the Premier to resign.
“What we are seeing is a veritable moveable feast, with the Premier contradicting himself each time he opens his mouth and tries to provide as little information as possible, which is only making the smell surrounding this saga worse.
“None of the Premier’s explanations to date stack up in fact. His version of events is changing by the day, although we are still yet to see him answer the questions that are being put to try to get to the bottom of this affair.
“If the Premier thinks that his explanations are satisfactory, and that this matter will just go away, he is even more arrogant and incompetent than ever.
Mr Hidding said that continuing to arrogantly avoid answering key questions on this affair is no longer an option, Opposition Leader Rene Hidding said today.
Mr Hidding said this serious matter could not go away until the Premier came clean on the full details of the now infamous meeting with Mr Bacon on February 28, the day before GBE scrutiny committee hearings for the TT Line.
“It is Mr Lennon who is prolonging this damaging scandal for the Lennon Labor Government by stubbornly and arrogantly refusing to answer basic questions about it,” Mr Hidding said.
“The little detail that he has revealed has only raised more questions than answers.”
Mr Hidding said the Premier was treating the public like fools in his desperate bid to save his own skin.
And the Premier seems to be incapable of understanding that the Opposition and the community would not let this matter lie because it goes to a grave contempt of Parliament, and potentially, a breach of the Criminal Code.
“Much as the Premier might wish it to, this matter will not go away, until he comes clean.
“The contempt Mr Lennon is alleged to have demonstrated for Parliament in terms of instructing, or having someone instruct on his behalf, a Minister to obstruct a Parliamentary committee is serious enough.
“But Mr Lennon will be demonstrating even more breathtaking contempt for Parliament if he does not come answer the simple questions we have put to him, not to mention the utmost of hypocrisy, given that he told Parliament only recently that he expected his Ministers to provide fullsome answers, after Ken Bacon suggested Question Time should be scrapped.”
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SUE NAPIER, MHA
Shadow Minister for Health and Human Services
Wednesday May 25, 2005
Delay in investigating disability services neglect and abuse not good enough
Shadow Health and Human Services Minister Sue Napier today expressed concern about the length of time it took allegations of abuse and neglect at a Disability Services Group Home to be officially investigated.
An executive summary of the Health Complaints Commission investigation into the allegations, which included that the client’s feeding site had become flyblown, was tabled in State Parliament yesterday.
It upheld several of the complaints, including the one relating to the feeding site, and made a number of recommendations.
Mrs Napier said the report made for very alarming reading, and one aspect that concerned her greatly was the time lag between the allegations being made and an investigation being formally launched.
“The parents of the disabled young man raised their concerns directly with the Minister in a letter dated March 22, 2004.
“Yet only on June 4 was the mechanism put in place to allow this matter to be investigated by the Health Complaints Commissioner.
“Of course, it took almost a year for that investigation to be completed and the executive summary to be handed down.
“Given the alarming nature of the allegations, I am concerned that they were not investigated with a much greater degree of urgency.
Mrs Napier echoed the comments of the Health Complaints Commissioner that it was imperative that appropriate systems are in place for the reporting of critical incidents within Disability Services and quickly put in
