Gerrity’s hypocricy on asylum seekers

West Coast Mayor Darryl Gerrity’s recent remarks in response to Kevin Harkin’s suggestion that asylum seekers could be housed in Tasmania contradicts comments from Council’s General Manager Peter Harder who only two weeks ago called for a recruitment drive to entice people to live on the West Coast.

Two weeks ago West Coast Council General Manager Peter Harder attended a business luncheon in Rosebery to discuss strategies on attracting Tasmanians and mainlanders to take up residence on the West Coast.

On 29th June 2010 in The Advocate report Recruitment drive for more residents Peter Harder stated:

“We really need a collaborative approach to bring people back to the west coast.”

The report went on ‘Mr Harder went on to say that the West Coast offered individuals and families a range of employment opportunities’.

“Cr Gerrity’s comments smack of absolute hypocrisy in the face of the West Coast Council’s recently announced population expansion drive.” said Spokespeson Kay Seltitzas.

“ If as Cr Gerrity said “ the area is ill-equipped to deal with the population it had now……..We haven’t even got the services here for the local population it had now” then Cr Gerrity needs to get his story straight with his General Manager about the truth of the issue.”

“Compassionate Tasmanians will only question the veiled racism inherent in C Gerrity’s comments.”

“Tasmanians on many occassions have opened their arms to refugees and asylum seekers and it is well known that many people from Somalia, Burindi, Afghanistan and Kosovo have settled in very well with the climate in Tasmania and with support of communities. They are very highly committed people willing to be good citizens. Cr Gerrity should have an open mind to any suggestions about how to help people in such dire circumstances instead of making flippant, insulting remarks” .

“The West Coast already has many residents from China and India working at the mines in Queenstown and Rosebery and there are also several Doctors from Africa.”

“ West Coast Council in its drive to attract any people to the west coast, will need to advise them about the potential health risks of living in some areas before they decide to relocate or purchase properties.” said Ms Seltitzas.
Kay Seltitzas Toxic Heavy Metals Taskforce Tasmania