Labor Leader Bryan Green today accused the Minister responsible for the TT Line, Rene Hidding, of ‘going soft’ on drug traffickers using the Spirits of Tasmania.
“In opposition Rene Hidding talked tough on drugs but has gone to water since getting into Government,” Mr Green said.
“Only two years ago, Mr Hidding described the Spirits as a superhighway for drug traffickers and demanded drug detection dogs be stationed at all Tasmanian ports.
“Since coming into office Mr Hidding has had an extraordinary memory loss.
“The best he can come up with now is a half-hearted warning to people not to bring drugs to Tasmania on the Spirits.
“Police intelligence shows the Spirits are being used but Mr Hidding seems prepared to turn a blind eye.
“Mr Hidding’s approach is a far cry from his calls to stamp out drug trafficking on the Spirits.
“Mr Hidding stands condemned by his own political grandstanding over this issue because he has done absolutely nothing to deter drug traffickers using the Spirits.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
