The Tasmanian Greens today highlighted the apparent double standard allowing Federal Group to break its lease deal for the West Coast Wilderness Railway without incurring a penalty, while the State remains locked into a 20 year pokies lease with same company.

Greens Acting Leader Tim Morris MP today renewed calls for the Minister David O’Byrne MP to release the lease agreement with Federal Hotels, to allow for an informed decision to be made over the future of the operation.

“It’s a shocking double standard that Federal Group can walk away from a 20 year lease scot free while taxpayers are told that ‘sovereign risk’ prevents the State from exiting the appalling 20 year monopoly pokies deal,” Mr Morris said.

“If you want to know about real risks to businesses, just think about all the operators in Queenstown and Strahan who are facing major uncertainty because this closure is hanging over their head.”

“In abandoning its 20 year commitment, Federal Hotels has also abandoned the west coast and created an uncertain future for many small businesses.”

“This is why we still need to see the lease between the State and Federal Hotels, to give confidence to the community that the operator has met all of its obligations.”

“We also need to see the lease to ensure the same mistake isn’t repeated in future, and that a potential new operator is now allowed to just walk away when the going gets tough.”

“The Greens have been clear from the start that the Minister must release the lease, and immediately establish a Transition Taskforce to work with the Ministerial Corporation to keep the railway on track after April.”

“We have 48 skilled workers need to be retained, along with maintenance of locomotives and rolling stock, the painting shops, the carriage refurbishment and the track maintenance to mention just a few key areas.

“Time is running out fast for Minister O’Byrne. People want to get aboard this train to help, and he needs to release the lease establish the Taskforce now.”

“Why the holdup Minister? Release the Federal Hotels lease, announce the Transition Taskforce, and let’s get on with keeping the Abt Railway on track,” Mr Morris said.
Tim Morris MP Greens Acting Leader Monday, 11 February 2013