Industry exposed to uncertainty as a result of Ministerial dysfunction
Reshuffle is unavoidable
The lack of both a permanent Minister for Primary Industries and Secretary of DPIPWE is leaving important industries vulnerable to uncertainty and delays.
Labor Transparency Committee Chair Jo Siejka said it is time for Premier Hodgman to admit that the positions of former Minister Sarah Courtney and DPIPWE secretary John Whittington are untenable.
“It is a critical time for the salmon industry and yet it is unclear who will sign off on the pending new marine farming leases and marine farming licences for the proposed Storm Bay expansion,” Ms Siejka said.
“The expansion is already subject to intense public scrutiny and the industry does not need more uncertainty as a result of Will Hodgman’s failure to act on his former Minister’s conflict of interest.
“We currently have the less than desirable situation where the acting head of DPIPWE who is at the centre of decision making over Storm Bay will be required to regulate the new salmon leases when he returns to his role as head of the EPA.
“Similarly, we are approaching a critical time to learn whether Tasmania can again be declared fruit fly free.
“The primary industries sector deserves better than the Premier performing ministerial duties off the side of his desk.
“We cannot afford for mistakes to be made or decisions clouded.
“In the interests keeping our primary producers moving forward, the Premier needs to act decisively to reshuffle his Cabinet and appoint a new Minister as soon as possible.”
