Defeated: Labor-Liberal minority government defeat referendum call on doubts removal bill

The Tasmanian Greens today condemned the new Labor/Liberal minority government for rejecting the opportunity to give the Tasmanian people a say on the Pulp Mill Assessment Amendment Bill 2014 through a referendum on March 15.

“We believe that the Tasmanian people deserve a say in their future, but the Labor/Liberal minority government obviously weren’t happy about that,” Mr McKim.

“For too long Tasmanians have been dictated to by corporations and politicians, and they deserve the opportunity to create their own future.”

Me McKim also condemned the new minority government’s move to guillotine debate on so called “doubts removal” legislation for the Tamar Valley pulp mill.

“Cutting short the debate on such a serious piece of legislation is a shocking, anti democratic act by the Labor/Liberal government,” Mr McKim said.

“Limiting debate on such a crucial piece of legislation to nine hours seriously limits the amount of scrutiny it receives.”

“After a shotgun wedding, the first act of Tasmania’s new Labor-Liberal minority government was to launch a full frontal attack on citizens’ rights and create a licence to pollute.”

“The removal of Section 8 (3) of the original Pulp Mill Assessment Act (2007) means that a breach of the permit’s environmental conditions will no longer lead to suspension of the permit.”

“What a farcical abuse of Tasmania’s democracy, its environment and the rights of its citizens.”
Nick McKim MP Greens Leader