Clarence Lifestyle Village Protest over Unsafe Junction

David O’Byrne MP, Member for Franklin, 24 August 2022

Will these residents be fined or arrested for simply wanting safer roads?

Fed-up residents of the Clarence Lifestyle Village travelled all the way to Parliament today, only to find out their 7-year long battle to fix road safety issues has once again fallen on the minister’s deaf ears.

Franklin MP David O’Byrne asked the infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson in Question Time today why their legitimate road safety concerns for the intersection nearest their homes had been repeatedly ignored by this government.

“These residents are fed up. For many years now they’ve written letters, done petitions, made appeals through the media to have this dangerous section of road fixed, yet their pleas have repeatedly been ignored,” said Mr O’Byrne.

“They were left with no other option than to stand outside Parliament House this morning in protest. But under this government’s proposed new anti-protest laws, they could be fined or even arrested for just wanting to the minister to hear their concerns.

“These residents just want the minister to sit down with them, listen to their concerns, and work through a solution for fixing this clearly dangerous intersection on the East Derwent Highway and Piper Road.

“In response to my question, the minister couldn’t even commit to meeting with this residents and listening their concerns. Was that really too much to ask?

“What’s worse is that he couldn’t even commit to not fining or even arresting these residents if they choose to continue their campaign and protests.”

Government abandons public sector workers, guaranteeing further industrial chaos

While critical staff shortages continue to impact core government services and public sector industrial disputes intensify as a result, the government today knocked back a parliamentary motion calling for Tasmanian public sector workers to be treated with respect.

The motion, put forward by Franklin MP David O’Byrne, called on the government to recognise the extraordinary efforts of Tasmanian public sector workers who have been on the front line throughout this pandemic.

“It is clear the government are not looking after its public sector workers and that the services Tasmanians rely on each and every day are failing as a result,” said Mr O’Byrne.

“Workers right across our public sector area leaving the workforce in droves, staff shortages are further impacting service delivery, and widespread industrial action is only set to intensify.

“The motion I put forward today, which the government voted against, called on the government to address the wide disparity in pay between Tasmanian public sector workers and their mainland counterparts.

“Our public sector workers are some of the lowest paid in their careers in the country. It’s no wonder this government can’t attract and retain enough staff.

“It’s about time the government offered our hard-working public sector workers wages and conditions that keep up with the cost of living, but the government very clearly voted against that today.”