Media Release

WILL HODGMAN, MHA
Liberal Member for Franklin
Saturday September 3, 2005

Cabinet revolt forced Walker Corp to walk away

A bitter Labor Cabinet revolt forced Premier Paul Lennon to advise Walker Corporation that he did not have the numbers within his own ranks to pass Project of State Significance legislation for the controversial Ralphs Bay development, Liberal MHA for Franklin, Will Hodgman said today.

Mr Hodgman said it was sheer fantasy for the Premier to in any way accuse the State Liberals of being behind the demise of the inappropriate canal development for environmentally-senstive Crown Land at Ralphs Bay, when Labor could have used its numbers to force through Project of State Significance legislation in the Parliament anyway.

The problem was that a massive revolt among Labor MHAs left Paul Lennon in the embarrassing position where he knew his own colleagues would not support his arrogant and unprincipled stand.

“It is blatantly obvious that when Paul Lennon knew he could not get his own Labor members to support his push to trample over the people of Lauderdale and environmentally-senstive Crown Land at Ralphs Bay, he advised Walker Corporation, and this would explain why they walked away from this development yesterday,” Mr Hodgman said.

“It is ridiculous, and grossly dishonest for the Premier to in any way try to apportion blame to the State Liberals when, were it not for the bitter divisions in his own Cabinet, Labor could have passed Project of State Significance legislation anyway.

“I expect that some members of the Labor Party advised the Premier that not showing leadership on this issue by rejecting the Ralphs Bay proposal on environmental and social grounds, was akin to letting a proposal to establish a nuclear reactor on the Hobart Waterfront, or a McDonalds outlet along the Overland Track, get past base one.

“Walker Corporation’s decision yesterday is a massive defeat for the Premier.

“At the end of the day, it seems only Premier Paul Lennon a so-called Member for Franklin was backing this proposal, and at the end of the day, even Walker Corporation didn’t.”

Mr Hodgman said the State Liberals were the biggest supporters of business in Tasmania, as well as the independent RPDC.

But he said the State Liberals would always protect the Tasmanian lifestyle by striking a sensible balance between development and our prized natural assets.

“The State Liberals are able to draw a line in the sand, and distinguish between the importance of attracting business and development to Tasmania, and development at any cost.

“The Premier could not and his embarrassing lack of leadership on this matter will no doubt have leadership contenders Bryan Green and Paula Wriedt seriously plotting a move against a Premier who, through his handling of the Ralphs Bay development, proved just how arrogant and out of touch he has become.”

Mr Hodgman encouraged Walker Corporation to continue to look at investment options in Tasmania that do not put our environmental and social assets at risk.

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MEDIA RELEASE

Nick McKim MHA
Sunday, 3 September 2005

GREENS SAY ‘LOOK OUT FOR WALKER CORP ON THE HOBART WATERFRONT’

And Expose Lennon’s Planning Scheme Furphy

The Tasmanian Greens today said that they understood that Paul Lennon knew that he did not have the numbers to get the Ralphs Bay proposal through Cabinet, and had persuaded Walker to withdraw the proposal by offering the inside running to redevelop plum Hobart Waterfront sites.

Greens Member for Franklin Nick McKim MHA again congratulated the local residents who had campaigned brilliantly to protect their quality of life and local environment, describing Walker’s decision to withdraw as great news for the democratic process.
“It would not surprise at all to see Walker pop up as a preferred developer in the Sullivans Cove area,” Mr McKim said.

“Given Labor’s previous secret deals with Walker, which the Environment Minister was prepared to lie about, Tasmanians can have no confidence whatsoever that there have not been further dodgy negotiations behind the closed doors of Paul Lennon’s office.”

“This is not only a great victory for Tasmania’s coastline, but for communities right around our state who are fighting to protect the lifestyle that makes Tasmania so precious.”

Mr McKim also accused Mr Lennon of a furphy over his accusation that opponents of the proposal do not have faith in the Planning System.

“This proposal should never have got anywhere near the planning system as it relied on Labor’s decision to offer a Conservation Area for sale.”

“Labor should have told Walker to take a hike long ago – Lennon’s recent bluster is designed to hide his embarrassment at being so isolated on this issue.”

Mr McKim called on Environment Minister Judy Jackson to promise that the Ralphs Bay Conservation Area will not be offered up for sale in the future, and reminded Tasmanians that Labor and Liberal had previously combined to over-rule the planning system over Meander Dam.