Kim Booth: Hodgman to be put under the spotlight on resumption of Parliament

Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said his team were ready to hold the Hodgman Liberal government to account over a range of issues, and especially how they expect to deliver on job creation and their election expenditure promises.

“The Greens will be pursuing key areas including the so-called forestry industry reforms, the dangerous moves to abolish suspended sentences, and the Liberals’ spending-spree election promises,” Mr Booth said.

“The Liberals cannot keep parroting the jobs mantra while they pursue industry destroying ideology such as their so called forestry policy, and their attacks on the public sector.”

“The future of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment hangs in the balance, and yet the Liberals remain silent on the Greens call for a co-operative approach to deliver this significant project.”

“So far their 100 day action plan looks more like 100 days standing still.”

“There are serious questions around the chasm between the Liberals’ Alternative budget and their capacity to deliver now, especially given their blatant ignoring of the mid-year financial report in February.”

“We are expecting the Liberals will do their utmost to avoid scrutiny and instead will attempt to deflect by blaming everyone else, and try to shut down those who make them uncomfortable.”

“However given that anyone with a basic understanding of Parliamentary practice knows that it is essential for the Speaker to behave with complete impartiality, at this stage we have no reason to fear that we will have fair access to all parliamentary question time and debate mechanisms.”

“The Greens team will continue to stand up for the vulnerable, for workers and the environment, both inside and outside the Parliament.”

“While Mr Hodgman may well enjoy the ceremonial opening day of Parliament tomorrow when he first sits in the Chamber as Premier, but he is on notice that the rest of his term will be a hard road with the Greens scrutinising every step he takes,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader