Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff’s failure to stand up to his Federal Liberal colleagues is leading to a decline in Tasmania’s poppy industry.
“Mr Rockliff admits to a reduction in the area of poppies being grown in Tasmania but has done nothing to stop it,” Labor Leader Bryan Green said.
“Tasmania’s poppy farmers have pioneered this industry in Australia and fought long and hard to maintain it. They have been badly let down.
“Mr Rockliff is crippled by indecision and hopelessly conflicted in relation to the poppy industry.
“Tasmanian growers are losing out to other States like Victoria because of the Abbott Government’s decision to allow poppies to be grown outside Tasmania.
“Labor warned Mr Rockliff that allowing open slather on growing poppies will be a disaster for Tasmania’s primary industries sector.
“There should be at least a five-year moratorium on growing poppies outside Tasmania until the full impact into the risks associated with security, health and safety and confidence in the industry are fully addressed.
“The best Mr Rockliff can say is that he made a strong case to Canberra, well that is just not good enough.
“It will seriously damage Tasmania’s $100 million-a-year poppy industry; Mr Rockliff knows that yet he is prepared to roll over to his Liberal colleagues in Canberra.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
