A Parliamentary censure motion against Premier Will Hodgman for misleading recreational fishers over the Liberal’s position on super trawlers leaves his credibility in tatters.
“Will Hodgman has been exposed for deceiving Tasmanians to garner votes at the last election,” Labor Leader Bryan Green said.
“The Liberals have an inglorious track record of saying one thing before the election and doing another after.
“Nothing Mr Hodgman says alters the fact that he said he would ban all supertrawling before the election and now he is doing the opposite.
“People voted for the Liberals on the basis of their opposition to super trawlers and they rightly feel badly let down.
“Mr Hodgman’s claim that Labor has changed its position on supertrawlers is an absolute lie.
“The Tasmanian Parliament voted unanimously to oppose factory super trawlers before the election.
“To suggest I have changed my position is completely untrue. The ones who have changed their minds are the Liberals.
“Because the size of the vessel has changed in the pelagic fishery doesn’t let Mr Hodgman off the hook because he said he would legislate against super trawlers.
“I have always said, in light of public concerns about the pelagic fishery, that I would have to be satisfied about the impact of factory supertrawlers, but in no way ever questioned the operation of fishers like Petuna as the Liberals are dishonestly suggesting.
“It is Mr Hodgman who has deliberately deceived Tasmanians.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
