Tasmania’s loss Norfolk Island’s gain as Libs shut out investment

Tasmania is missing out on jobs and investment in a medicinal cannabis industry because of the ideologies and short-sightedness of Government Ministers, Shadow Attorney-General Lara Giddings said today.

Last night’s 7.30 Tasmania revealed that Norfolk Island’s Government is prepared to support the establishment of a medicinal cannabis industry and is opening their doors to investment.

“What this news shows is that Tasmania is at risk of losing investment in a medicinal cannabis industry, at a time when we need the jobs” Ms Giddings said.

“What is most concerning is that when Liberal Government Ministers like Michael Ferguson and Matthew Groom reject business proposals out of hand because of their personal beliefs – it stunts business confidence and encourages investment to go elsewhere.

“While we wait for a Legislative Council Committee to report to see whether the Government will change its mind and support a trial, Norfolk Island has stolen the march on us.

“If the Hodgman Liberal Government doesn’t start to get its act into gear on this issue, we risk seeing other mainland states also investing in this area with the support of their Premiers, such as Mike Baird in NSW and Campbell Newman in Queensland.

“By doing nothing, Will Hodgman and his Ministers have effectively hung out the ‘closed for business’ sign in the face of new jobs and new investment.

“Meanwhile patients suffer because of this closed-mindedness.”

Natalie Daley’s paper and e-petition calling on the State Government to allow a trial of medicinal cannabis in Tasmania has reached more than 1550 signatures.

The petition is available from Labor MP’s offices while the e-Petition is on the Parliament of Tasmania website at www.parliament.tas.gov.au/EPetitions/House/ and go to Current Petitions.
Lara Giddings MP Shadow Attorney-General