The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the positive focus on tourism opportunities for north-west Tasmania at today’s Cradle Coast Tourism Forum in Stanley.
Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran welcomed Terri Irwin’s contribution, saying that it would help to put the global spotlight on the region.
“The forum provides a great opportunity for the industry to discuss and explore new opportunities to create jobs and wealth for north-west Tasmania,” Mr O’Halloran said.
“Terri Irwin is absolutely right when she says that there is nowhere else like this in the world.”
“She is a highly successful entrepreneur and nature lover who can clearly see a brighter economic future for the Tarkine that’s not just about digging it up and cutting it down.”
“The sad reality for tourism operators in the Tarkine is that they have been too often treated like second class citizens in favour of heavy extractive industries.”
“Industries like mining are often heard loudly demanding ‘resource security’ in the short-term, even when that comes at the expense of long-term security for other industries.”
“Promoting conflict industries like forestry and mining in the Tarkine sends a message to investors in sustainable industries like tourism to stay away.”
“As just one example, the Greens are aware of eco-tourism operators in the Tarkine who have been forced move on when a mining lease has been granted.”
“The best way to send a clear signal to tourism industry investors is to declare a Tarkine National Park,” Mr O’Halloran said.
Paul O’Halloran MP Greens Member for Braddon Thursday, 18 July 2013
