A powerful cartel of business interests now controls National Parks policy in Tasmania.
Following a decade of “open to development” Government policy our National Parks are now littered with dozens of private developments, the most profitable of which have been bought by a single business such as Federal Hotels or similar.
This business cartel is now unstoppable. It completely dominates and controls Government policy on National Parks, in the same way the gambling cartel now controls social policy in Tasmania.
This cartel now determines where the next resorts will be built in our National Parks and how much taxpayers money will be spent in support of these developments.
This cartel now determines who is allowed to visit our National Parks and how much they have to pay for the privilege.
This cartel contributes no money towards the maintenance of our National Parks, which is all paid for by Tasmanian taxpayers. The cartel exists to channel public money to private profit.
The Mount Wellington Cable Car is just one of many such private developments which together go towards the takeover /privatisation of Tasmanias National Parks.
The end result is inevitable.
Claire Gilmour
October 21, 2018 at 17:38
So for the last 20-30 year or more the government purposefully destroyed the natural environment around national parks so they could then gift the national parks to their mates for a profit.
I’m suggesting that any politician who has agreed to Forestry Tasmania/Sustainable Timbers Tasmania and other private logging in state forest in Tasmania has purposefully and complicatedly done so to create a purpose-built government-supported private enterprise. Nothing less than a criminal government/private enterprise investigation should be warranted.
Peter Bright
October 22, 2018 at 09:43
Thankyou, Claire.
The philosophy of rabid right-wing governments, such as Australia’s Liberal Country Party coalition, is wholly incompatible with environmental welfare. They simply have no appreciation or respect for it, and see it as a resource to be plundered to destruction for illicit and/or illegal selfish personal gain.
The Liberals and their kind have made money and materialism their gods, and they see anything that stands in the way of such accumulation as an enemy which has to be neutralised by any means, but preferably destroyed.
With the planet now in rebellion mode at this insane abandonment of respect and the consequent damage so recklessly inflicted upon it, it is becoming increasingly evident, and ever more urgent, that such governments be removed from office, never to be returned.
It is they, their kind and their thinking which must be destroyed, and the sooner the better.
Luke Martin
October 22, 2018 at 08:57
Can I have some of what you’re smoking, Gordon? Pity to see the fresh new look of TT hasn’t coincided with a firmer editorial hand about the BS being posted by some contributors.
Mathew Whiting
October 22, 2018 at 08:59
The issue of private developments in national parks concerns me, but please show a national park, and not the Hobart City Council controlled reserve with the cable car depiction.
The helicopters flying six fat, wealthy dudes flying over and in to Walls of Jerusalem National Park will affect the peace and tranquility of many.
John Powell
October 22, 2018 at 13:02
Luke, will I be able to apply for a RTI to you and the TICT on the level of proponent donations that are provided DIRECTLY to YOUR accounts?
Luke Martin
October 22, 2018 at 15:42
No John, RTIs only apply to GOVERNMENT organisations. But as a private citizen I have access to defamation proceedings if you would like to make any more stupid statements.
John Powell
October 22, 2018 at 16:47
Luke, please explain how this is stupid or defamatory. It’s a simple question.
John Powell
October 22, 2018 at 17:34
Luke, let me ask a DIRECT question. Have YOU and/or TICT received direct funding from Private Proponents for tourism developments in National Parks, and if so who? Think about your reply because someone out there might have an answer.
You can block me on Twitter, but not on Tassie Times.
Emmanuel Goldstein
October 23, 2018 at 09:08
“In a closed society where everybody’s guilty, the only crime is getting caught. In a world of thieves, the only final sin is stupidity.” (H.S. Thompson 1937 – 2005)
Like many Tas inc. bullies, Luke Martin accuses TT contributors of illegal drug use and then threatens legal action in an attempt to silence and intimidate. Many people would consider it quite reasonable to ask what sort of largesse members of the exclusive TICT club have being showered upon them. Luke Martin also claims TICT is not a government body and hence exempt from scrutiny.
Luke Martin feels eminently qualified to comment upon National Parks management. What qualifications do you hold, Luke Martin? Are you a Natural Sciences graduate? Have you knuckled under for three or more grueling years of hard science study and decades of field work? Or are your only qualifications selling people stuff they don’t need bought with money they haven’t got?
In 2016 your TICT presented disgraced Chief Ranger Peter Mooney ‘Tasmanian Tourism Champion of 2016’. At the same time he was perverting the multi million dollar Maria Island ferry contract, although this was all swept under the carpet. Do you think further investigations are warranted, or was this an isolated incident? How about looking into profiteering greed-heads in your tourism racket who fail to pay their concessionaire fees amounting to hundreds of thousands of dollars? The TICT website seems to have removed any reference to Peter Mooney and his award, but it was there a few months ago. Now it seems Peter Mooney has reinvented himself as an Environmental Tourism Consultant. Does TICT have any dealings with Mooney? If so in what capacity?
https://globaleco.com.au/Proceedings/2016/day1/peter-mooney.pdf
https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-mooney-78114b104
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-04/questions-over-pws-ex-chief-involvement-in-maria-island-ferry/9223824
Luke Martin
October 23, 2018 at 15:20
1.) Mr Powell implied I was pocketing my members’ money. I think I have the right to call that out.
2.) Have a closer look at the website. Peter Mooney is still referenced.
3.) Only cowards hide behind nicknames on these forums. I read 1984 too, you know.
John Powell
October 23, 2018 at 16:33
Luke .. and the definitive answer to my question, in writing, is Yes or No? There are information sources out there remember. YES or NO ?
John Powell
October 23, 2018 at 11:40
Thank you for your erudite comments, Emmanuel.
It is a fact that bullies attack when the real truth is potentially exposed.
I have seen Luke behave like this on social media many times, whether it be Twitter or Facebook. It is significant that he has not answered my direct question re funding from Private Proponents, so I suspect that gives us all the answer, namely YES.
Ian McLean
October 23, 2018 at 12:42
Luke Martin’s PR skills coming to the fore again. Luke, you can obviously say want you like, how you like, but others notice these interactions.
If you want people to actually listen to what you say, and not drive away supporters, it might be worth reviewing how you conduct yourself on the Web.
Tasmanian Times, Twitter and Facebook etc can all be read by anyone, not just the specific group you’re interacting with.
Roman Astra
October 23, 2018 at 16:24
This is not a personal issue, guys. If you like or dislike somebody, ring them. Banter is boring. Stick to the facts and research, if they are represented correctly. Then tell us what you found, not what you think. Thank you.
Keith Antonysen
October 25, 2018 at 19:42
Luke, a previous development had been proposed for the Central Lakes involving helicopters, but fisher people kicked up a fuss. Now fisher people and bushwalkers are cranky about the new development at Lake Malbeena.
At Dove Lake, the National Parks and Wildlife Service has placed a sign saying drones are not allowed. Do you have any idea why that might be the case? If you do, transpose that to Lake Malbeena.
There has been much secrecy in relation to developments on Crown Lands and World Heritage areas.
Secrecy is poison as far as trust is concerned.
Keith
October 26, 2018 at 07:24
It is highly likely that peak tourism has been reached, or is about to be reached. My opinion is based on two matters .. the economy, and climate change. There are signs that the Stock Market is not in positive shape. Trump chopping and changing his opinions and being abusive towards foreign powers hardly makes for a confident business environment. Housing losing value in capital cities of Australia is hardly an encouraging sign.
The IPCC has just released a Report, based on the work of thousands of climate scientists, which does not bode well for the future. Those following science would understand that the latest IPCC Report reflects current science. Some eminent climate science are saying that the last IPCC Report is on the conservative side. Research has shown for a number of years that a business as usual approach has a severe impact on climate to the extent that the carrying capacity of humans and flora and fauna becomes limited.
The contrails of planes leaving greenhouse gases and particulates in the atmosphere are not helpful in fighting climate change. As a result the cost of flights is likely to increase to take into account the damage done to the atmosphere.
When people are in survival mode; traveling is not a factor that comes to mind. Already huge communities have had to deal with failing water resources for domestic purpose .. Cape Town, Bolivia, Brazil, and California being examples. Hundreds of farmers in India have committed suicide when drought has robbed them of their crops.
There are a number of studies showing that 97% of scientists believe in anthropogenic climate change and there are a few others that suggest over 90%. Here is the problem though, the research of skeptical scientists cannot be replicated. Lindzen used to be the doyen of skeptical scientists, but there is good reason for him not to be referenced any longer. Deniers have gone quiet on their datum year of 1998 for good reason also. Fake news has been created by changing graphs’ climate scientists, or missing salient points.
Any new development news to have public awareness, and take into account climate change.
The current LNP is completely reckless in relation to climate change.
Emmanuel Goldstein
October 27, 2018 at 10:56
There are disturbing direct correlations between Queensland and Tasmania when it comes to the theft of our collective property, our National Parks.
If we had a functioning Commission for Corruption it would uncover disturbing activity by staff within our NPWS/DPIPWE hellbent on facilitating theft of our public property.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-10-27/queensland-national-parks-could-be-leased-for-eco-tourism/10423998