Nick McKim MP, Tasmanian Greens Leader: This is just the beginning

A statement by Greens Leader Nick McKim MP:

We can confirm that this morning Premier informed us that she would be advising the governor to withdraw our Ministerial commissions effective tomorrow, and that she would set an election date of March 15.

She also told us that she would be recalling parliament to debate a doubts removal Bill on the divisive and toxic pulp mill proposal, which of course the Greens will not support.

Of course we conveyed our disappointment to her, but nevertheless it is her prerogative as Premier to take these actions.

We also expressed to her that the pulp mill is the wrong direction, not only for the Tamar Valley, but for the entire future of this beautiful island that is a beacon to the rest of the country and the world.

We also told her that Tasmania can create far more jobs, and far greater value, from other ways of downstream processing the plantation resource than the pulp mill, particularly as it does not have the community support to ever be built.

But, today is about far more than just the pulp mill. It’s about the entire future direction of Tasmania’s economy, and our people.

It’s about whether we want to continue to work together towards a new future for Tasmania, or whether we will be plunged back into conflict and division, back into the failed business and political models of the past.

Labor’s decision, supported in lockstep by the Liberal party, to recall parliament to debate enabling legislation for the pulp mill, is all about politics.

This morning, Labor and Liberal woke up, as they did in 1987, totally fixated on a pulp mill. The Greens are the only ones who woke up this morning looking to the future.

And again, this morning Labor and Liberal woke up thinking only about politics, and only the Greens woke up focussed on Tasmania’s future.

We have delivered on our promise of stable government, and we’ve respected the will of the Tasmanian people expressed at the ballot box in 2010.

This government has gone full term, and we have delivered on our promise of driving the transition to a new economy.

Just today we’ve seen figures released that show Tasmania’s unemployment rate coming down for the fifth consecutive month, bucking the national trend, precisely because of the four years of Greens in government driving our economic vision of jobs and prosperity in the new economy.

Ultimately, we’ve had our Ministerial commissions withdrawn for driving the new economy in Tasmania, for driving Labor towards the jobs rich future that lies in industry sectors where Tasmania has a competitive advantage over the rest of the world.

Sectors like ICT and the digital economy, the creative economy, tourism, agriculture based on our priceless clean green brand, fine food, quality wines and beverage at the macro and micro level, science, aged care and international education.

Tasmanians already know that this is the best place in Australia to live, and if we make the right decisions the rest of the country will come to know it too.

It’s been a privilege to serve as Ministers in the Tasmanian government, and we are very proud of the outcomes that we’ve delivered for Tasmania.

We’re proud of being part of a co-operative government that has by any measure been an effective, strong and stable government prepared to make difficult decisions in challenging times for Tasmania.

We’ve delivered on our promise of achieving critical social, economic and environmental reforms.

In my portfolio areas we have seen Tasmania’s Educational outcomes improving faster than the rest of Australia in every single NAPLAN measure over the last two years.

We’ve invested more into the early years, with our nation leading launching into learning program now for the first time available in every single government primary school in Tasmania.

We’ve moved Tasmania to a four term school year to improve educational outcomes.

We’ve created TasTAFE, a substantial and enduring reform to the public provision of Vocational Education and Training.

We’ve launched 26 TEN, the leading adult literacy program in Australia.

Tasmania is now a safer place thanks to successful corrections reform.

And we’ve delivered on our promise of protecting Tasmania’s precious high conservation forests, including an extra 170 000 hectares into the World Heritage Area, and we’ve delivered on our promise to end the community division and conflict over forestry.

And we’ve driven reform of the energy sector, which sees electricity prices now coming down in Tasmania, again bucking the national trend.

And we’ve done this all while, like every other state and territory government in Australia, we’ve faced significant fiscal challenges which we’ve met head on.

Those are hugely significant achievements that will stand Tasmania in good stead, well into the future.

We also acknowledge and thank the Tasmanian public service for the outstanding support they have given us as Ministers.

I can’t speak highly enough of their professionalism and dedication to serving the Tasmanian people.

Also, a massive shout-out to my staff, who have gone above and beyond so many times.

Today the Premier announced the date for the election.

There is no doubt that Tasmanians want change. While Labor and Liberal remain focussed on the past, we offer that positive change. We want to see Tasmania create its own future, and we want to work with the Tasmanian people to deliver that future.
Nick McKim MP, Tasmanian Greens Leader