Tasmanian Labor is appalled over news the former detention facility at Pontville has been gutted.
“Not only is it an enormous waste of public money but it’s also a breach of trust,” Labor Leader Bryan Green said.
“The Federal Government needs to immediately explain why the facility was dismantled and who gave the direction.
“It seems to me the Liberal Government was desperate to render Pontville useless.
“The Premier needs to come clean about when he knew about the state of the facility and why he chose not to inform public debate.
“If the Premier knew Pontville was gutted, why didn’t he inform community leaders who have been advocating for its future use.
“If Mr Hodgman didn’t know and shares my frustration, we should work together on figuring out exactly how this was allowed to happen.”
Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs Madeleine Ogilvie said the decision made to destroy the facility at Pontville is disgraceful.
“We have all been willing to do so much more to help the refugees flooding into Europe,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“Despite my very sensible calls over many years for the retention of Pontville as a reception centre, we see it has now been stripped bare.
“Like the veil of secrecy the Federal Liberal Government has brought down over the tragedy of asylum seekers, we now see the secrecy extended to the destruction of our public assets.
“How foolish and short sighted it is that this destruction has been allowed.
“But the destruction of Pontville won’t stop the community putting humanity first.
“We all know we are ready willing and able to do more.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
