The Tasmanian Greens today said that the first three months since taking two Cabinet positions have seen positive change and significant policy breakthroughs achieved for the Tasmanian community, including within the State Budget.
Acting Greens Leader Tim Morris MP said that already the Greens have helped deliver a roll-back of Tasmania Tomorrow and a way forward for Post Year 10 education, secured an independent investigation into the Tasmanian Energy industry, a State Taxation Review, and seen off the divisive Tarkine loop road proposal.
“The first three months following the historic and ground-breaking step of Greens taking a seat at Cabinet have seen the Greens deliver on our pledge to provide stability, to ensure Supply, and to make crucial environmental, social and economic policy gains,” Mr Morris said.
“The power-sharing parliament has seen the demise of the controversial and divisive Tarkine Loop road, a $16 million Parks and Wildlife funding boost, and a commitment to introduce a statewide ban on canal estates following the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s rejection of Walker Corporation’s Ralphs Bay proposal.”
“The Greens secured a long overdue Review of Tasmania’s Energy Sector to be conducted by an independent Expert panel. This Review will be charged with identifying how we have got to the current situation which sees serious problems with the operation of the state’s energy entities and ongoing power price hikes being imposed on the consumer, as well as inform the development of a statewide Energy Strategy.”
“We also obtained a further commitment that a Cost of Living Strategy is to be expedited as a matter of priority.”
“The Greens also negotiated the rollback of the controversial Tasmania Tomorrow, and a reformed Post Year 10 education model. Through these negotiations we also secured the Implementation Taskforce which is currently underway and working on ensuring that the transition works for students, teachers and the broader school communities.”
“Over the last few years the Greens have campaigned for a State Taxation Review with an aim of reducing or eliminating taxes on good things like jobs and investment, and instead generating revenue by taxing things that are bad for our community, like pollution. The State Budget saw a State Tax Review delivered.”
“We have also seen the first steps towards ‘greening-up’ the State Budget with achievements made both within Greens’ Ministerial portfolios as well as Greens’ policy commitments.”
“In power-sharing parliaments no party is given a mandate to implement all of its policies, and the Greens have been consistently upfront about this. We will continue to work hard to deliver on other Greens’ policies during the next four years and beyond.”
“The first three months have seen strong and positive examples of cooperation and the capacity of the new arrangements to deliver good outcomes for Tasmanians,” Mr Morris said.
FIRST 100 DAYS OF POWER SHARING – GREENS’ POLICIES DELIVERED INCLUDE:
• Post Year 10 Reforms – negotiated agreement with Labor, including the Implementation Taskforce and an independent review of progress to be done by June 2011
• Independent Energy Expert Panel to conduct a Review of Tasmania’s Energy sector, and to advise on the development of a State Energy Strategy
• Abandonment of the divisive Tarkine Loop Road
• Commitment to a statewide ban on canal estate developments
• A tripartite State Taxation Review
• Cost of Living Strategy
• Elder Abuse Strategy
• Increased investment in State Rail
• Parks & Wildlife Funding Boost
• Additional investment in a revamped Community Equipment Scheme
• Funding to further Lesbian, Gay, bi-sexual, transgender and intersex community support, and to meet Tasmania Together goals
• Autism Support and Early Diagnosis
• Disability Services Focus: services Reform Transition, and a Disabilities Gateway program
• A-Team program Support
• Light Rail Feasibility Study
• Passenger Transport Innovation Scheme
• Park & Ride facilities expansion
• Cycleway Development Fund
• Forest Carbon Study
• Climate Change Adaptation unit
• Bass Strait Islands Renewable Energy Fund
• Peak Oil Study
• Renewable Energy Loan Fund
• Tamar River Catchment Management Study
• Devonport Imaginarium Science Centre
• Improved Palliative Care Services for the North
• Expansion of North West Cancer Services
• Lake Margaret Tourism Feasibility Study
• Support for Rosebery Health & Sport facilities
• Geoscience Projects
Meanwhile, What the Libs reckon …
