Statements
Rene Hidding slapped down by TT Line over drug comments
Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding has been forced into an embarrassing back down over his claims the Spirits of Tasmania were being used on what he described as a ‘superhighway’ for drug traffickers.
“Mr Hiding was squirming in his chair at today’s GBE hearings when he got the biggest slap down of all time from TT Line chairman Mike Grainger,” Mr Green said.
“Mr Grainger told Mr Hiding such comments damaged the TT Line brand and that he was annoyed and offended.
“In opposition, Mr Hidding said drug traffickers were using the Spirits and demanded drug detection dogs be stationed at all Tasmanian ports.
“I have never seen a Minister look more sheepish than Mr Hidding when he was reminded of his comments.
“It was a far cry from Mr Hidding’s calls to stamp out drug trafficking on the Spirits.
“Mr Hidding stands condemned by his own political grandstanding because today he admitted no further resources were being deployed.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader