Read more:
HERE
Take a bow, HAG:
You read it here first: As governance hangs in the balance, a second election will be called. Which will be as indecisive as the first …
Read more:
HERE
ALL the Hag’s ramblings:
HERE
What Rene reckons:
Media Release
RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Friday November 25, 2005Labor is preparing for a Labor Green Accord unless it signs majority government pledge
All Labor MPs and candidates contesting the next State election must sign a pledge to govern in majority or not at all, or they will leave the Tasmanian community in no doubt whatsoever that Labor will embark on another disastrous Labor-Green accord if poll predictions are correct.
Opposition Leader Rene Hidding said Labor MPs, including Paul Lennon signed such a pledge in 1994 which now has no validity at all, and it was worrying that the Premier had so far refused to agree to repeat his actions for the 2006 election.
“Until such a pledge is signed by every Labor MP contesting the next election, indeed every candidate as a condition of their pre-selection, Labor is sending the clear message that it is preparing for a possible Labor-Green Accord,” Mr Hidding said.
“The State Liberal Team, including every one of our Liberal candidates, have all signed a pledge guaranteeing to the Tasmanian people that the Liberals will government in majority, or not at all.
“If Labor does not do likewise, all Tasmanians will know that we are potentially heading for another destructive Labor Green Accord, if in what would be a very unfortunate outcome for the future of Tasmania, people do not elect a stable majority Hidding Liberal Government.
“Tasmania cannot afford a return to the dark days of a Labor Green Accord.
“Tasmanians remember well what an unmitigated disaster the last Labor Green Accord was and it would be terrifying for the future of Tasmania if Premier Paul Lennon was prepared to go down this path again, or his colleagues were conspiring to bring about this outcome.
“I think all Tasmanians would agree that the notion of Peg Putt controlling Paul Lennon on a daily basis would be a recipe for disaster for the future of our State.
“Tasmania has made some gains in recent times, thanks largely to a booming national economy. These gains will be lost if Labor is re-elected, because it has no plan or vision for Securing Tasmania’s Future, and its priorities are all wrong. And these gains will be absolutely annihilated if Labor, in desperation to cling to government, forms an accord with the anti-everything Tasmanian Greens.
“Under a Labor Green Accord we would see Peg Putt controlling Treasury, taxes rising, development grinding to a sudden halt, jobs lost and economy going backwards, not to mention the potential introduction of all sorts of wacky policies such as legalisation of hard drugs and heroin injecting rooms.
“A Labor Green Accord would be the worst possible thing that could happen to Tasmania, and it is incumbent upon the Premier to sign a pledge in writing, along with all his Labor candidates for the next election, ruling out minority Government with the Greens, or anyone else, as the State Liberals have done.”
Mr Hidding said Tasmanians were becoming increasingly aware of the arrogant and secretive approach of Premier Lennon and his incompetent Labor Government which has no vision and no plan for Tasmania and Tasmanians.
“In contrast, Tasmania is warming to the alternative State Government which has a plan for securing Tasmania’s future, a Hidding Liberal Government.
“We have put forward a clear vision for the State when we released our Foundation Plan for Securing Tasmania’s Future in September and we will continue to release positive policies that benefit Tasmanians and their communities.
“The strongest result from yesterday’s poll is that because of our signed pledge, the State Liberal Team is the only political party in Tasmania that can guarantee Tasmanians a stable, majority government.
“All the Labor Party can offer is the threat of yet another damaging Labor-Green Accord.
“The State Liberal Team will govern in majority or not at all,” Mr Hidding said.
What Peg reckons:
Peg Putt MHA
Tasmanian Greens Opposition Leader
Thursday, 24 NOVEMBER 2005
POSITIVE, RESPONSIBLE VISION AND HARD WORK PAY OFF
In Heartening Poll ResultThe Tasmanian Greens today welcomed a lift in the polls, saying that Tasmanian voters are responding to the Green team’s positive, responsible vision and their integrity as they work across a broad range of issues.
Greens Opposition Leader Peg Putt MHA said that her team was humbled by the increased levels of support which was a reward for effort, but cautioned that this was only one poll and that the Greens would continue to work hard to keep building the confidence of Tasmanians as a State election nears.
The Greens noted the likelihood of winning a seat in Braddon according to the EMRS poll, and that adverse reaction to the Gunns pulp mill proposal may have contributed to extra Greens support in Bass although Bass MHA Kim Booth had also been active on a range of social issues such as housing and workers compensation.
“The Green team is remaining calm about this lift in the polls which shows that Tasmanian voters are welcoming our positive, responsible vision and our hard work on a broad range of issues,” Ms Putt said.
“We will continue our professional approach and work hard to keep building the confidence of Tasmanians as we head towards a state election, our aim of increasing our seats is on track.”
“The Green team will include an excellent candidate for Braddon where this poll shows that we can again pick up a seat to follow in the tradition of Di Hollister whose integrity was highly regarded, and this preselection will be announced before Christmas.”
“No doubt there is an element of adverse reaction to Gunns’ pulp mill proposal in the lift in support for the Greens in Bass, as we advocate better value-adding and job creation opportunities without the level of environmental damage.”
“Do not discount that our Greens’ Bass MHA Kim Booth has also been very active on social issues including housing and workers compensation and is working hard for clean, green and GE free agriculture.”
“This is only one poll and not enough by itself to predict with certainty any of these results or a balance of power Parliament, but we assure electors that we are taking a steady, responsible approach, the Greens are here to stay as a fully fledged party, and that we are prepared to put in the hard yards for Tasmania,” Ms Putt said.
What Rene said, earlier:
Media Release
RENE HIDDING, MHA
Leader of the State Opposition
Thursday November 24, 2005EMRS Poll
Leader of the State Opposition, Rene Hidding, today said that he and the State Liberal Team are focussed on the one poll that really counts for Tasmanians – the State Election that will possibly be called early in the New Year.
“Tasmanians are becoming increasingly aware of the arrogant and secretive approach of Premier Lennon and his Labor Government which has no vision and no plan for Tasmania and Tasmanians,” Mr Hidding said.
“In contrast, Tasmania is warming to the alternative State Government which has a plan for securing Tasmania’s future, a Hidding Liberal Government.
“We have put forward a clear vision for the State when we released our Foundation Plan for Securing Tasmania’s Future in September and we will continue to release positive policies that benefit Tasmanians and their communities.
“The poll results’ strongest message is that because of our signed pledge, the State Liberal Team is the only political party in Tasmania that can guarantee Tasmanians a stable, majority government.
“All the Labor Party can offer is the threat of yet another damaging Labor-Green Accord.
“The State Liberal Team will govern in majority or not at all,” Mr Hidding said.
