Bryan Green: Labor proposes $20m West Coast revival package

Tasmanian Labor today called on the Federal Government to redirect $16 million in unspent Cadbury funding to a West Coast Relief Package.

Labor Leader and Member for Braddon, Bryan Green, made the call today while releasing a list of short and long term proposals to support the West Coast economy.

“Labor has offered to be a part of the committee the Government has assembled to look at answers for the West Coast but that report isn’t due for six months,” Mr Green said.

“Queenstown can’t wait that long, the Abbott Government must step in and help this community now.

“Since the announcement of the closure of the Mt Lyell and Henty mines, Labor has been consulting with the private sector and community organisations to identify job-creation opportunities in and around Queenstown.

“These projects could get underway now if the Federal Government redirects the Cadbury money which is already in the Budget.

Mr Green also called on the State Government to contribute $4 million to create an immediate $20 million stimulus package for the troubled region.

“We would support any financial assistance the State Government offered.

“In a time of crisis all sides of politics need to band together to find solutions.

“Labor is ready to work in a constructive, bipartisan way to help Queenstown.

“We’re yet to hear back from the Premier on our offer to join the taskforce but if we are on there or not these are some of the ideas we are putting forward now, not in six months’ time.”

Download: West Coast Revival – Labor’s vision for Tasmania’s West Coast:
West_Coast_Revival.pdf
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader