Labor Leader Bryan Green said the halt of Venture Minerals iron ore mine on the West Coast is a blatant failure of the Liberal Government to live up to its tough talk about supporting Tasmania’s mining industry.
“Venture has cited the risk of ongoing appeals and an unfavourable economic environment as the major reasons for its decision,” Mr Green said.
“The Liberals promised to stop court appeals against mining developments and trumpeted that Tasmania’s mining industry would be open for business.
“They are failing on both counts.
“The fact is that before the election Adam Brooks said the Liberals would prevent future court action against mining companies.
“Venture’s decision is extremely worrying for the West Coast and now the would-be Minister, Mr Brooks, is nowhere to be seen.
“The hands off approach and weasel words of Resources Minister Paul Harris won’t cut it for the people of the West Coast.
“The question for the Government is, what is it going to do to ensure Venture’s Riley project and other mining developments are not lost to Tasmania?
“The previous Labor Government’s commitment to the mining industry and our efforts to get new mines up like the Riley project cannot be questioned.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
