Transcript of media conference with Kristie Johnston, independent MHA for Clark, Parliament Lawns, 5 May 2022.
Kristie Johnston
This morning I asked further questions regarding Macquarie Point Development Corporation following the Premier’s lacklustre response yesterday for my call to have an inquiry into what’s happening at Macquarie Point development. I asked specifically if the minister was aware of allegations made in 2019, which are very serious, relating to workplace bullying and harassment, relating to procurement practices which are outside the Treasurer’s instructions, and a whole range of matters which go to the fact that we had very little development on the site.
The minister was unaware of what’s happening at Macquarie Point, it seems he was unable to answer my questions and instead took it on notice. it beggars belief that the minister is unaware of what’s happening at this once in a lifetime opportunity site. It’s a significant site in Hobart and he needs to be across portfolio.
I’m aware, and I have seen, emails to the Minister Ferguson – Minister for State Growth at the time – Premier Gutwein at the time, and the heads of agency that alert them six weeks ago to these serious allegations. Let alone they should have been aware in 2019 when these allegations were raised directly with the department, I am very concerned that the minister and the department have their head stuck in the sand when it comes to issues at Macquarie Point.
We desperately urgently need an independent and comprehensive inquiry into what’s happening at Macquarie Point Development Corporation, because it’s an opportunity for our community. It’s a once in a generation opportunity to develop this site, and we can’t let it go to waste. But what we have seen so far is complete lack of action. The motivation is dead, and very serious allegations about governance at Macquarie Point Development Corporation.
Journalist – David Killick
What should happen? You’ve called for an inquiry, what sort of inquiry would you like?
Kristie Johnston
I’d like to seen an independent and comprehensive inquiry into all matters related to Macquarie Point, not just the governance but also in terms of what the vision is for Macquarie Point. So the governance concerns I particularly have are around the management of employees and accusations around a culture of workplace bullying and harassment. I’m also concerned that we have allegations around procurement practices which have been contrary to the Treasury’s instructions. The community have a significant amount of money invested in this particular site, and they deserve to ensure that it is spent appropriately. But when we have accusations around close working relationships and procurement practices, which don’t comply with the Treasurer’s instructions, and they deserve to be fully investigated and audited.
Journalist – David Killick
And what sort of time period would you want an employer to examine the issues raised with the bullying? The current investigation doesn’t go back far enough.
Kristie Johnston
That’s my understanding. My understanding is that the current investigation – which I believe has been completed and the minister should have a copy of that report – only looks at the most recent allegation of one particular employee. We know that there has been an incredibly high staff turnover at Macquarie Point Development Corporation for a number of years now. So I would like to see a full and comprehensive inquiry, which goes back a number of years that those allegations of former staff can be properly investigated, particularly when it relates to workplace bullying and harassment, but also where it relates to procurement practices and the allegations that perhaps Treasurer’s instructions have been ignored.
Tasmanian Times
At the moment we have a Commission of Inquiry into child sexual abuse. On the other hand we have these reports of abusive adults as well. Is there a cultural problem with bullying in Tasmania?
Kristie Johnston
it does concern me that we consistently see allegations made about workplace harassment and bullying, across a number of different agencies. We do at the moment have a inquiry or a survey out about workplace culture in Parliament, for instance; it does concern me that we are not adequately dealing with these issues. They might have policies in place, but they aren’t being complied with. It’s quite clear when we have people coming forward and blowing the whistle on some of the culture that we have in workplaces across Tasmania.
Tasmanian Times
Over the years has there been adequate community consultation about what the collective vision is for the site?
Kristie Johnston
I don’t think there has been adequate consultation. There was a significant consultation around the MONA vision, obviously. But that vision is now dead, that’s been abandoned by the Macquarie Point Development Corporation. There is nothing there that remotely looks like it and I think if you speak to Lee Carmichael himself, he would say he’s incredibly disappointed with the direction that the Macquarie Point Development Corporation have taken on site and he’s washed his hands, I think essentially, of the site. So I think it needs to go back out to community consultation. I think people of Hobart and southern Tasmania in particular deserve the opportunity to have input into this once in a generation development opportunity right in the heart of their CBD and city. And on the waterfront. You know, we’ve heard the minister this morning talking about how with significant the site is. He’s put his head in the sand and he’s not dealing with a very apparent issues that they have around governance, around tendering processes, and the allegations around workplace bullying
Tasmanian Times
Has the AFL vision for a stadium also made that a little bit complicated? We don’t really know how well it integrates with the rest of the project.
Kristie Johnston
I firmly believe that the AFL stadium proposal is a complete and utter red herring the government is using to try and distract it from the real business that they should be getting on with about housing and health. They keep throwing these out every now and then to try and distract from the real matters. Look, obviously what happens on that site and the surrounding areas is incredibly important to the community and the community deserve the opportunity to be consulted and have their say about that, and I would support any process. But first and foremost, I want to see an inquiry into the operations of the corporation at the moment, because there are some very serious allegations have been made about the governance and about the practices and the culture in that organisation And whatever happens there will only impact on what the development will be.
Transcript of media conference with Alistair Allan, Bob Brown Foundation, Parliament Lawns, 5 May 2022.
Alistair Allan
My name is Alistair Allan, I’m the Marine Campaigner at the Bob Brown Foundation.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
Does it feel like Groundhog Day having to protest anti-protest legislation again?
Alistair Allan
Here we are again protesting for our very right to protest. Behind us in this building they want to take away that right, and there’s a fundamental right of citizens to protest. So we’re here again, they’re trying to table it again. But we’re here to resist and say that it’s our right to protest and stand firm for our planet.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
Every time it’s come back to Parliament had some slight tweaks to it. Does that allay any of your fears? Or do you still think it tramples on your rights?
Alistair Allan
The tweaks are pretty much meaningless. They’re little tweaks are trying to push through this busted bill in the first place. We do not need this bill, it is not necessary. And instead we need to enshrine our right to protest and to stand up for issues as public citizens.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
We all want to feel safe when we go to work and be able to do our jobs. How do you see that intersection between that right and the right you have to make your voices heard?
Alistair Allan
Absolutely. Everyone should have that right. I think it’s incredibly important. But we need to make sure that we’re standing up for our Earth, our planet, for issues, whether it’s human, whether it’s social, whether it’s housing, or whether it’s the environment, we all deserve a safe environment to live in.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
This issue has come up time and time again. Do you think the public support is on your side that they don’t want to see this legislation go through?
Alistair Allan
Absolutely. Public support does not want to see this go through. It’s demonstrated by the fact that we’ve been here for years, and the bill still hasn’t passed. It’s not needed. They’re trying to push it through for no reason. Instead, we have people supporting us all the time. And that’s just growing. And I think as this climate crisis, and as other issues like, as I said housing and social issues grow, our citizens are going to stand up more and more.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Bills like this have a mixed record in terms of passing and not passing the Upper House. How confident are you the Upper House will reject it?
Alistair Allan
We really, really do not want this bill to pass in the Upper House. We’re calling on all the members of the Upper House to firmly reject this bill. And we place a lot of hope in them doing the right thing by their community and Tasmanians.
Journalist – Laura Beavis
In this bill there will be very significant fines for corporations, for being a public nuisance, upwards of $100,000. What impact will that have on the operation of the foundation?
Alistair Allan
At have the foundation we’ve always maintained that we will continue to protest for wild places and continue to stand up for what is morally right, to protect our environment in this time of climate crisis. So whatever the bill may bring, we will still be there to fight for the environment.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
Will those fines fundamentally change the way you have to go about your activism?
Alistair Allan
I don’t believe so. No, no.
Journalist – Laura Beavis
How long could the foundation survive financially if (inaudible)”?
Alistair Allan
I’m not entirely sure on that one.
Journalist – Laura Beavis
Do you think that clause about corporations, and fines for corporations, is specifically targeting the Bob Brown Foundation?
Alistair Allan
I think a lot of this is a push through to label radical extremists as like the foundation as as causing huge problems. But I don’t think we are. I think we’re out here standing for the environment in a time of climate crisis. And I think that’s the right thing to do. So I think whether it’s targeted at the foundation or not, it’s irrelevant. It’s targeted at citizens, people like you watching the television, and it shouldn’t be allowed.
Tasmanian Times
I was trying to calculate how many work hours are lost to protest disruption in Tasmania, as a percentage of the overall hours was worked by Tasmanians. And it was so small, I gave up after about zero point ten zeros. So do you think this is like a solution looking for a problem?
Alistair Allan
This is absolutely a solution looking for a problem. This is a government that is trying to demonise public citizens standing up for what’s right. And it just simply shouldn’t stand, we have a right as citizens to protest.
If you look behind me, we’ve got a, you know, people from all walks of life right now who, you know, everyday people, nurses, engineers, scientists, students, that are all taking a stand for issues and to help protect our planet. And, you know, humans as well and Tasmanians. And behind us, it’s just a small spread of the everyday people that will be affected by this bill.
Tasmanian Times
The last time this came forward, it was defeated in the Upper House. We’ve got three LegCo elections this weekend; is it a good time for people to ask their candidates in Huon, McIntyre and Elwick where they stand on this bill?
Alistair Allan
100%. For those candidates in those electorates, which was Huon, McIntyre and Elwick, I believe you should absolutely be contacting your member and saying ‘Where do you stand on this protest bill? I believe that I have a right as a Tasmanian to protest. And I want you to represent me.’ So please do call on those in your Legislative Council to not support this bill. Thank you.
Transcript of media conference with Rosalie Woodruff, Greens MHA for Franklin, Parliament Lawns, 5 May 2022.
Rosalie Woodruff
I was so pleased on behalf of the residents of Westbury to hear Minister Archer announced today that there’ll be backing down from putting a northern prison in the Brushy Creek reserve, and putting it instead on the site of the Ashley Youth Detention Centre This is a huge win for the Westbury community. They’ve been suffering for years under the threat of a prison at that beautiful reserve. And they have fought relentlessly to defend that place and their community.
And it shows more than ever, the importance of protecting the power of protest. The power of protest has brought the minister and this Liberal government to finally back down on that highly political decision that they took two years ago, to save their face when the Westbury community threw out the first site. This second site was picked out of nowhere, a brain fart that Premier Gutwein had on the day he was walking in the community and decided ‘what a good idea’ someone put in his mind that that bit of bush up the back could be used instead.
Well, what we understood was it caused three community groups to develop to defend that beautiful place and defend their character of their community. And so we are so supportive of this decision. And we wished that the government had listened to the Greens proposal in the very first place that any therapeutic facility in northern Tasmania should be located on the Ashley Youth Detention Site when it’s wound up.
Journalist – Laura Beavis
Why was the Brushy Creek site abandoned?
Rosalie Woodruff
The Brushy Creek with site was meant to be formally conserved back in 1991. And the government never did that, successive governments never did that. Now is the time for the Liberals to formally do what they should have done 33 years ago, they should have formally conserved that beautiful Brushy Creek reserve then; it has outstanding natural values. It’s recognised as part of the Tasmanian estate. And the federal government was never supportive – the Environment Department – of the Liberals’ attempts to try and put a massive northern prison right in the middle of that reserve and those beautiful values.
I want to thank the communities, the CROWPs, the WRAPs organisations and the Northern Field Naturalists, the wonderful Order of Australia Sarah Lloyd who led a group of peaceful people protesting and talking about the natural values in that site.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
Given the Ashley option was staring the government in the face, do they the people of Westbury an apology for even going through this process and raising anxiety levels amongst some?
Rosalie Woodruff
Absolutely, Minister Archer needs to make a formal statement of apology to the Westbury community and all the people who have put their lives on the line. The neighbours, the neighbours of the reserve, farmers in the area whose whole life was threatened, the people who care deeply about the wedge tailed eagles and the quolls and the beautiful orchids, these are the people who ought to have be apologised to formally. There’s probably a case for a class action of people against the government for putting them at this needless suffering.
There was never a case to be made to have any northern therapeutic facility in the Brushy Creek reserve. It was a disaster from a service point of view, from the road, from the natural values of the area, and it was never wanted by the Westbury community. So surely, the the Liberals have to learn that consultation means more than just walking along the street and chatting to people and picking the idea out that you think is politically palatable. That’s not what consultation is about.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Minister Archer said in parliament that there are still a few concerns about the option at the Ashley Youth Detention Centre But is it your view that it’s the only place that it can be?
Rosalie Woodruff
Well of course there are concerns because the Greens have always opposed a northern prison. We think there is no case to be made for that infrastructure because it is part of the dinosaur age of locking people up and throwing away the key. We have to have therapeutic facilities, they have to be modern. And obviously the Ashley site has to be looked at closely to investigate how it can be a modern therapeutic facility for people, like we have in other countries.
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
Rosalie Woodruff
The Greens recognise this for what it is: it is an attack on peaceful protesters. It is an attack on our fundamental rights, our human right to protest. And today of all days, the government should understand the power of protest will not be stopped. People will not be stopped by the sort of noxious laws that the Liberals – and it appears sadly, outrageously, the Labor Party may be supporting them, in their bid to get these laws passed. This legislation before us has got nothing to do with workplace safety. It’s got everything to do with corporate safety. This is about backing in big corporates, like JBS, like MMG, like Forestry Tasmania, who want to have everything their way they want to be able to extract regardless of the consequences on the environment, and the future of everybody, especially the young people who have been striking for a safe climate.
Journalist – Alex Johnston
A Labor Braddon candidate 28 years go had a drug charge, Liberals will make a big deal out of it, obviously, Labor’s saying he’s a fit and proper candidate. Is a charge like that disqualify someone from representing a community or do you see it differently in that recovery from a difficult period like that could have some merit?
Rosalie Woodruff
I don’t know what the charge was so I can’t speak about it in detail. But obviously, the Greens have long stood with the Australian community who overwhelmingly understand that people should not be locked up and vilified for personal levels of drug use. That is absolutely crazy. In a current situation where people can be, you know, dehumanised, essentially for personal choices about the sort of things that they do on their own time and their own recreation. That’s not part of a 21st century community. So, you know, it is horrible to see the sort of petty politics that the Liberal and Labor Party both are stooping to in this election. It is desperate, but the Liberals in particular have got form and their divisiveness is what Tasmanians and Australians don’t want anything to do with any more.
Transcript of media conference with Rob Valentine, independent MLC for Hobart, Parliament Lawns, 5 May 2022.
Rob Valentine
Over a period of time, both Meg Webb and myself have been receiving submissions from members of the public with regard to matters associated with the university. And I think everybody would be aware that there’s certainly a degree of concern out there in regard to certain aspects of the university’s operations and functions and all of those sorts of things. So inquiries provide the opportunity for those sorts of issues to be transparently looked at, that provides an opportunity for the University of Tasmania itself to be able to table information that addresses some of those concerns as well. Apart from that, I can’t tell you what’s going to come out of it until we receive the submissions, as with any inquiry,
Journalist – unidentified
How deep is your level of concern about what’s going on at the university?
Rob Valentine
Look, quite obviously, there is a fair degree of concern, general concern out there in the community. And so whether I feel as there’s a deep concern or not, is something that this inquiry may indeed shine a light on, whether there is anything to be concerned about. But as I say, it’s an opportunity for the university, to be able to address the issues in a transparent manner. And I think that’s really important, that it’s something that probably the community is saying hasn’t happened to date,
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
Rob Valentine
The university’s move to the CBD is something that is largely a local government issue. But there are aspects of it that are to do with the powers and functions of the university. And so quite clearly, there will be submissions that will come in, in relation to that. But this is a statewide issue that we’re looking at here in this inquiry. We’re talking about the university’s functions, the north and northwest and the south. But it’s all in relation to the Act. Our powers are confined to the University of Tasmania Act. Obviously, the university has all sorts of connections with other levels of government, but we are confined to the University Act.
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
Rob Valentine
Well, there are people that have been concerned as you would be aware that, you know, for instance, the Law Faculty is in danger. Now, we’ve heard recently, even as late as today, that some of that is now going to be addressed. Well, that’s fine. Here’s an opportunity for that to be tabled before an inquiry and for a closer look at what is intended there and how that’s intended to be addressed.
Tasmanian Times
Are there precedents from other parts of Australia for a parliamentary inquiry into a public university?
Rob Valentine
Look, I don’t know, to be quite honest, whether there have been other inquiries mounted, but all I do know is that there’s certainly a national interest in what is happening to universities over recent months and years. And I think that those sorts of issues will come to the fore as well. In fact, you know, people are lobbying us from the academic sector, from a national perspective, in regard to that. So, you know, what they bring forward will be interesting to see, but again, the university will have equal opportunity to be able to, you know, bring information to the table in relation to those things.
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
Rob Valentine
Well, I guess it’s a complex I’ll say beast in that regard. And as I say, it’s got relationships in a number of different directions in terms of legislation, federally, and state and of course local. But the primary piece of legislation that it functions under is indeed the University of Tasmania Act. So it is important that whatever we do as a state parliament is focused on the legislation that is under our jurisdiction.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Inquiries are often an object of last resort, I suppose. Given you personally don’t have grave concerns about what’s going on there why is it appropriate for state parliament to get its claws into what’s happening in the uni?
Rob Valentine
I didn’t say I didn’t have grave concerns. I said at this particular point in time, I don’t know what the breadth of the concerns are. And it’s important that a community conversation can be had in an open and transparent way. It’s not a matter of whether I have deep concern for a particular area, it’s about the community that’s expressing concern and giving the community – as part of our duty as parliamentarians – giving the community an opportunity to be able to table what those concerns and issues are and for us to then seek input from the university itself.
Journalist – David Killick
When is the house likely to consider the motion?
Rob Valentine
At this point in time debate on the motion will be on the 24th of May all going well.
Transcript of media conference with Jen Butler, Labor MHA for Lyons, Parliament Lawns, 5 May 2022.
Jen Butler
Today’s announcement showed the complete incompetence of the embattled Minister for Corrections. Three prisons over three years, hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars down the drain, uncertainty, constant uncertainty over three years for the people of Westbury and surrounds. Today’s announcement showed again the complete lack of certainty that the minister has been able to provide this community over three years.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Is the Ashley Youth Detention Enter the right result? Or is there still a fair bit of work to go there?
Jen Butler
Look, we’re open to have a look at the site. We’re open to have a look at the details around that new proposal. But what we would like to see is some certainty for the people of northern Tasmania in relation to a northern prison.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Talking about land-owners parliament this morning? What’s the go there? And what are their concerns?
Jen Butler
We have reason to believe that there are some consultation issues already for the government in relation to that new, third, northern prison site. We’re yet to know any details about what they have in mind for this northern prison site. But we do have we do have advice from some of the adjoining landowners that they were not consulted.
Journalist – unidentified
(inaudible)
Jen Butler
For the people of Westbury, who have always stated that this prison wasn’t in the right site, and then to move it to the Brushy Rivulet, and again, for the community, you to be announcing time and time again, that is also a completely inappropriate site. The government just chose to ignore this for three years. And we know that it has cost hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars. And that was very frustrating for the people of Westbury and for people that are next door to the Brushy Rivulet because their cries really just went on, they were silenced.
Journalist – unidentified
Was this option just staring the government in the face? You know to have the potential prison site sitting there, it’s a correctional facility. Does it just make sense to put the northern prison there?
Jen Butler
We’ll need to see the fine detail of what the government actually has in mind in relation to the Ashley Detention site. But we are pleased that at least there is now some certainty for the people of Westbury and surrounds. Because overwhelmingly, they were never pleased to have a maximum security prison in the middle of a historic village. It was always completely inappropriate. But there does have to be a level of responsibility taken by the minister in relation to this. It’s clearly incompetent. And we think the embattled minister could be in a lot of trouble here.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Do you think Ashley should have been announced as the preferred site as soon as its closure was announced?
Jen Butler
Look, we think that the minister is clearly incompetent, and embattled. And we have questioned in parliament this morning, whether or not the minister is the right person to lead this proposed site.
Journalist – unidentified
On the anti-protest legislation, which way will Labor be voting on that?
Jen Butler
The anti-protest legislation is a clear back-flip by the government. And we are completely focused on making sure that there is maximum protection for workers.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
So what does that mean?
Jen Butler
We need to make sure in this new bill that the government are bringing in around anti protesters, that safety is the key concern.
Journalist – Adam Langenberg
Does that mean you’ll be voting for the legislation and you don’t think it’s strong enough in its current form?
Jen Butler
We will be making sure that this proposed protest legislation does adequately make sure that workers and people on worksites are safe.
Journalist – unidentified
Just to clarify, (inaudible).
Jen Butler
We will be making sure that this bill, which the government have back flipped on already ensures that workers and people in workplace situations are safe.
Tasmanian Times
In the three years since the bill was last presented, how many workers have been injured by protesters on work sites?
Jen Butler
I’ll have to get those numbers back to you. But there has been significant workers injured on work sites. And we also know that Workplace Safe, Safe for example here in Tasmania, don’t conduct random tests as well of workplace sites.
Editor’s note: to this point we have not received ‘those numbers’ from Jen Butler. We did ask Bob Brown Foundation for their knowledge of workplace injuries. Their response via Alistair Allan is as below.
