Prime Minister Rudd must bring his Environment Minister, Peter Garrett, under control and insist on the Minister conducting real consultation with the broader community, not just fringe green groups.
“The protection mechanism announced by Minister Garrett today, in the absence of consultation, has the primary effect of stifling development,” Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry and Tasmanian Liberal Senator Richard Colbeck said
Senator Colbeck said the decision by Minister Garrett to place the Tarkine on the National Heritage List was just the latest example of radical action that disregards broader community views.
“Such action was taken by Minister Garrett in locking up farmland in the Midlands of Tasmania earlier this year when he listened to environmental groups, but not the farmers,” Senator Colbeck said.
“Further, in listing the Coral Sea off the Queensland coast, Minister Garrett sided with the fringe American environmental group, the Pew Foundation, and didn’t consult with the local fishing industry, recreational fishers or local communities.
“These are but two examples of his failure to consult the broader community.
Senator Colbeck said it must be remembered that over 70% or more than 300,000 hectares of the Tarkine was already protected.
“Despite this significant protection of the Tarkine, Minister Garrett wants to go further and has effectively pre-empted the decision of the Australian Heritage Council by extolling the environmental values of the Tarkine claimed by fringe green groups.
“Minister Garrett must understand his decision today adds an extra layer of bureaucracy to any type of development, tourism, forestry and mining included.
“Furthermore, Minister Garrett has provided an extra degree of uncertainty to these industries, placing at risk long term investments.
“Now, more than any other time in recent history, is not the time to put more jobs at risk in North West Tasmania with the imminent closure of McCain Foods in Smithton and paper mills in Wesley Vale and Burnie.
Senator Colbeck said he did not support the State Government’s $23 million Tarkine Road proposal, but was strongly supportive of developing existing infrastructure and tourism assets.
“Today’s announcement by Minister Garrett, however, only goes to adding further layers of bureaucracy to the approvals system and stifling future development.”
Office of Senator Richard Colbeck Shadow Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Forestry Senator for Tasmania
