Labor Leader Bryan Green today accused Resources Minister Paul Harriss of failing to lift a finger to get Tasmania’s mining industry moving again.
“Instead of offering hope, Mr Harriss thumbs his nose at Labor’s attempts to lift the mining industry out of the doldrums,” Mr Green said.
“To dismiss Labor’s plan to reinvigorate the mining sector as Mr Harriss did today is hard to understand given he clearly has no answers.
“More than 1500 jobs have been lost in the mining industry, mineral exploration has crashed and investment has dried up on Mr Harriss’ watch.
Mr Green called on the Liberal Government to consider implementing Labor’s three-point plan outlined in his Budget Reply yesterday to get the mining industry moving.
“Labor has a strong record of supporting the mining industry, particularly through tough times.
“We would declare a Special Mining Zone over the entire Mt Lyell lease at Queenstown to cut red tape for new exploration and mining activity.
“Labor would also provide a royalty holiday for proposals that involve rehabilitating old mine sites and tailings.
“The Liberals’ policy to relocate Mineral Resources Tasmania to Burnie is a sham, and Labor would mobilise MRT services to provide support where it’s needed on the ground.
“Paul Harriss’ hollow political rhetoric means nothing and he needs to do more than pay lip service to our mining industry.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
