All Tasmanians Deserve Respectful Debate
The Tasmanian Greens today said they were disappointed to hear a mining spokesperson refer to the environment movement as ‘economic terrorists.’
Greens Mining spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that such light use of an extremely serious allegation as ‘terrorism’ belittles and trivialises the thousands of people around the globe who had been directly affected by brutal acts of terrorism designed to kill, main and install a pall of fear over those communities.
“I was shocked to see headlines using such highly inflammatory and counterproductive language as this to describe fellow Tasmanians,” said Mr O’Halloran.
“Such insensitive use of labels reveals a disappointing lack of respect for all Tasmanians’ views to be respected within a democratic debate, and to all the people around the world who have been the victims of real terrorist attacks.”
“Terrorism is generally reserved for the most heinous of crimes and I am saddened that this particular spokesperson found it appropriate to label people who simply hold a different point of view on what is best for the future of our state.”
“In Tasmania there is a spectrum of opinions regarding the ongoing role of mining in our state, in which everyone who wishes to has a right to be involved, and to broadly refer to a large segment of the Tasmanian community as terrorists is in my opinion is an attack on open, democratic discussion.”
“It is a deliberate attempt to demonise those who have a different point of view, and to bully them into being quiet.”
“That is not the form of robust democratic debate of which Tasmanians have so rightly been proud.”
“A debate around a preferred future for an area as iconic as the Tarkine is healthy. After all, it was nominated for national heritage listing by the Liberals and recommended by the National Heritage Council.”
“The Tarkine has recently been placed at the top of a list of the best last wild places left on the planet. The Tarkine can become the Kakadu of the Northwest, creating long term wealth and job creation, but only if its values are protected.”
“The Greens are very much at the table regarding the future of Tasmanian mining, we have secured $100, 000 towards a feasibility study for a regional Mining Remediation and Innovation Centre of Excellence which we are hopeful will be progressing within the next few months.”
“This will be the next boom area for the mining sector, and the Greens want Tasmania to be well-positioned to spearhead technological advances and innovation in improved recovery rates, as well as remediation and rehabilitation skills and expertise.”
“All Tasmanians should benefit from this industry not just a couple of multinational corporations,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Member for Braddon Sunday, 23 June 2013
