The House of Assembly Standing Committee on Community Development should focus on identifying opportunities to help the economic diversification of struggling regional communities across the state, rather than embarking on a witch hunt over the Triabunna mill sale, Greens Human Services spokesperson and representative on the Community Development Committee, Cassy O’Connor MP said today.
Ms O’Connor moved to amend the proposed Inquiry Terms of Reference by seeking to replace the specific reference to the mill sale and Triabunna with an expanded reference to identify development and other opportunities for “struggling communities in regional Tasmania including, but not limited to, Triabunna, Queenstown, Scottsdale and the surrounding regions.”
“To expend tens of thousands of dollars in public funds and utilise parliamentary time to pursue a political vendetta against a private investor and sector of the community is a wasteful exercise and poor indictment on the Liberals in Government,” Ms O’Connor said.
“The Greens have consistently advocated for long term thinking and economic diversification to create robust local economies. There are pressing needs in towns like Triabunna, Queenstown and Scottsdale, which is why I sought to expand the proposed Terms of Reference to include all struggling regional communities including Triabunna, Queenstown, Scottsdale and others.”
“Liberal members on the Committee rejected my proposed amendment, revealing a determination to look backwards in the pursuit of a political agenda instead of forwards in the interests of regional communities.”
“The message this Inquiry sends to potential investors in Tasmania is that if the government doesn’t like your politics, it will seek to obstruct you and that it isn’t interested in your money or the jobs you can create.”
“And this from a government that says it’s all about jobs and prosperity. Clearly, that’s a very qualified agenda from the Hodgman Liberals.”
“Tasmanians have had enough of community divisions being stirred up and driven by those seeking to further their own petty political agendas. It is time to look to the future and work together to create prosperity and resilience and in our regional communities,” Ms O’Connor said.
DOWNLOAD: Text of Ms O’Connor’s amendment to the proposed Community Development Committee Triabunna woodchip mill Terms of Reference, defeated 3 against (G. Barnett, R. Jaensch, M. Shelton) to 2 in favour (C. O’Connor, R. White):
Jul16_CD_Triabunna_Mill_ToR_Amendment_C_OConnor_ATTACH.pdf
Cassy O’Connor MP | Greens Human Services spokesperson
