EMU BAY RAILWAY DEBENTURE HOLDER MUST BE TREATED FAIRLY

Minister Must Negotiate – Not Legislate Rights Away

The Tasmanian Greens today called on the Infrastructure Minister, Graeme Sturges, to commit to a fair negotiation process with Emu Bay Railway debenture holder, Terry Croft, instead of just resorting to legislating his rights away.

Greens Infrastructure spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that despite the Department being aware of the existence of Mr Croft’s debenture claim two months ago, very little had been done to negotiate with Mr Croft in order to ensure that the matter was resolved before the Government’s legislation to purchase the rail was introduced into Parliament.

“The Greens are calling on Minister Sturges to sit down with Terry Croft and negotiate in good faith a fair reasonable price for Mr Croft’s Emu Bay railway debenture, and by doing so clear the way for the State’s purchase of the rail system,” Mr Morris said.

“Instead of entering into general negotiations with Mr Croft the Bartlett government’s knee-jerk reaction was to virtually put a gun to his ahead by tabling legislation which will strip away his rights unless he accepts whatever the government suggests.”

“It is highly ironic given Mr Sturges’ long and loud complaints that Asciano had indulged in bullying tactics when they threatened to close the Melba Line, that we now see Labor threatening to legislate away the rights of a retired pensioner just because he might be in the way.”

“The last thing any of us want is to see yet another delay in the purchase of the state’s rail system, but it is grossly unfair to treat Mr Croft as if he is the problem, rather then ensuring that the right thing is done by him.”

“Mr Sturges must commit to ensuring that he will enter into negotiations with good faith to determine a fair and reasonable price to pay Mr Croft for his debenture, and that he will not move to legislate away Mr Croft’s rights until those negotiations have reached resolution.”

“Moving to debate legislation tomorrow which would remove Mr Croft’s rights should only occur as the last resort, and it would be an unacceptable and bullying move for the Minister to do as the first course of action.”
Tim Morris MP Greens Infrastructure spokesperson