Greens Leader Kim Booth MP used his formal State of the State Address in reply to outline the Greens’ legislative and campaign agenda for the year, which includes moving to establish a Commission of Inquiry into Forestry Tasmania.
“The Greens have a strong and progressive policy platform we will be pursuing in the Parliament this year,” Mr Booth said.
“Unlike the Premier, the Greens have a clear vision for Tasmania’s future, one that is inspired by the natural and cultural strengths of this beautiful island and its amazing people.”
“We are also prepared to tackle certain areas which have been left in the too hard basket by successive governments for far too long, such as the ongoing viability of Forestry Tasmania.”
“Despite the Liberal’s broken promise to end any further taxpayer subsidies to Forestry Tasmania, they have further entrenched the corporation’s reliance on the public purse, and voted down attempts to require it move to a full cost recovery business model.”
“Forestry Tasmania is losing more money for every tree it cuts down, while other government businesses are bled dry to keep propping it up.”
“This must stop, and there must be an objective and independent assessment of Forestry Tasmania’s current financial situation, its operational structure and its future within the context of a viable and modern timber products industry and good management of Tasmania’s forest estate.”
“Tasmanians have lost confidence in more behind-closed-door reviews, and given the ongoing drain upon the public pursue, the only way to break through this impasse is to hold a Commission of Inquiry.”
Key legislative and parliamentary initiatives outlined by Greens Leader Kim Booth MP include:
• Introducing gun law reform legislation, tackling hand guns, and tightening licence and storage requirements.
• Introducing Chemical Trespass legislation to tackle ongoing contamination of waterways.
• Introducing legislation to implement a permanent ban on fracking.
• Introducing legislation to make permanent Tasmania’s GE free status.
• Introducing legislation to restore the MPs numbers in the House of Assembly, consistent with the previous tri-partite agreement.
• Moving to establish a Commission of Inquiry, under the Commission of Inquiry Act 1995, into Forestry Tasmania, its financial situation, and future.
The Greens will also pursue the following priorities:
• A negotiated State treaty with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community, and formal State support for the date of Australia Day celebrations to be moved from Invasion Day.
• Boosting the state’s Invasive Species focus, and investing in protecting our biodiversity.
• Delivering their Strengthening Democracy package, including the introduction of a state-based political donations disclosure scheme, to be in place before the next state election.
• The abolishment of the State Housing Debt by the Commonwealth, freeing up an estimated $16 million per annum.
• Tasmania being a pilot trial of a health single-funder model, to cut through the buck-passing between the commonwealth and the State and provide certainty to the community over accessible and affordable health services.
• A roots and branch review of the State Public sector in conjunction with comprehensive consultation with the community to identify the services necessary to develop a modern service delivery model that is appropriately resourced.
• The establishment of an independent State Taxation and Revenue review to kick-start the long overdue long-term economic structural reform, and which would also address the state’s unfunded superannuation issue.
“The Greens’ vision for a compassionate, safe and inclusive Tasmania, where community services, health, housing and education are accessible and affordable, is achievable.”
“We have a proud track record spanning decades where we have been at the forefront of progressive policies and game-changers for the state from pioneering our clean, green and GE-free status, through to driving more recent campaigns including medicinal cannabis, industrial hemp, and animal welfare reforms.”
“We will not shirk from the hard work required to turn our vision into reality, as our legislative and reform agenda demonstrates,” Mr Booth said.
Kim Booth MP | Greens Leader
