Today Tasmania’s House of Representatives members will go head-to-head debating the Government’s economic plan for Tasmania.
TIME: Debate commences at approximately 11.40am TODAY 9 December 2013
WHERE: FEDERATION CHAMBER, Federal Parliament
LINK: View live at http://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament and click on the Federation Chamber prompt
The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, said he is pleased to see that the Australian Parliament is finally showing an interest in Tasmania.
“Tasmania has enormous unrealised potential. But the State also suffering from years of poor policy decisions from successive state and federal governments,” Mr Wilkie said.
“Regrettably, too much of the current focus has been little more than mud-slinging and political point-scoring, especially in the context of the looming state election.
“I will be pushing for practical reforms that can be implemented quickly and achieve results.
“For a start the Labor and Liberal parties need to find some good candidates for the state election so that disillusioned voters aren’t stuck with the same old bunch of party hacks.
“The cost of Bass Strait has to be reduced. The Government’s current enquires are a start, although the rushed timeline for reporting is entirely unsatisfactory.
“The decision to send 56 Federal Government Department of Human Services’ IT jobs to the mainland must be immediately reversed.
“The uncertainty over Qantas, and in particular the future of the Qantas call centre at Glenorchy City, must be addressed by the Federal Government buying a stake in Qantas.
“And there must be a fairer deal for Tasmania’s 32,000 small businesses, many of which are being crushed by high power and sewerage bills; excessive rates, payroll and land taxes; and the predatory behaviour of Woolworths and Coles.”
