Statements
Andrew Wilkie’s statement on the Copping waste dump
The news today that the toxic waste dump at Copping has been given the green light by the Environment Protection Authority reflects some of the things that are wrong with governance in Tasmania nowadays.
There is still no detailed hazardous waste plan for the State, the regulatory framework is weak, concerns of local residents are largely ignored and the controversial venture can only go ahead by being propped up with taxpayer funds.
This is another case of weak politicians making poor decisions and inevitably the community will be the loser.
Tasmania may well need a hazardous waste facility. But that does not automatically give anyone licence to stick a toxic waste dump wherever they want.
Andrew Wilkie, Independent MP for Denison