NICK McKIM, Greens Leader, www.tas.greens.org.au
The Tasmanian Greens today challenged Premier David Bartlett and Opposition Leader Will Hodgman to a public debate on issue of power-sharing parliaments, saying that Mr Bartlett’s admission that he will be resorting to a fear campaign on the issue exposes Labor’s desperation following a poor opinion poll.
Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that it is time for a new co-operative and constructive approach to government after eleven years of absolute power in Labor’s hands, and accused Mr Bartlett of lacking the courage to debate the issue publicly.
“I have no doubt that Tasmanians want political leaders who are prepared to work constructively and co-operatively to deliver a positive future for Tasmania. If a power sharing parliament is elected next year, Tasmanians deserve maturity from their political leaders, not the petulance they are getting from Mr Bartlett.”
“Rather than a fear campaign driven by an increasingly desperate government, the real debate should be about policy ideas and plans for the future, and how we can work together to achieve good outcomes for Tasmania.”
Mr McKim said that he believes that any scare campaign from Labor-aligned interests will be of minimal effectiveness after three years of instability and shonky governance from a Labor government in absolute power, and power-sharing arrangements which are currently in working well in the ACT, South Australia and Western Australia.
“Mr Bartlett obviously believes that Tasmania is incapable of acting as maturely as other Australian states, but I think he is underestimating the intelligence of the Tasmanian people, and their desire for a new, constructive way of doing politics.”
“Tasmania’s successful debt reduction strategy was implemented under a 1990s power-sharing arrangement, and the Hydro was saved by a power sharing Parliament. In contrast, Labor’s reign of absolute power has seen shonky governance, a lack of stability, back-room deals, and a revolving door of Ministers.”
