Shadow Health Minister Rebecca White today called on Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey to explain his comments about ice abuse in Tasmania.
The Federal Treasurer told 2GB host Ray Hadley during a discussion about ice – “I was in Northern Tasmania and it was Friday lunch time and I’m wondering why all these kids are in the mall and some of them were just off their dials.’’
Ms White said the Treasurer needs to provide context to his comments.
“If the Treasurer saw young people he believed were affected by ice, who did he notify at the time?,” Ms White said.
“It is unconscionable that the Federal Treasurer saw school aged kids who he suspected to be on ice and did not report the matter to authorities.
“Both Bass MP Andrew Nikolic and Launceston Mayor Albert van Zetten have told the media that the ice claim wasn’t raised with them.
“Why wait until you’re being grilled on Sydney radio to make a claim like this?
“Ice is a significant health and social issue for Tasmanian communities and should be treated seriously by the both the Tasmanian and Australian governments.”
Andrew Nikolic’s comment of “Was he getting his places mixed up?” confuses the matter further.
“Mr Hockey and Mr Nikolic need to explain exactly what they saw, where they saw it and what they did about it,” Ms White said.
“Or is it the case that Mr Hockey is simply making things up and casting aspersions on Tasmania’s young people?”
EARLIER on Tasmanian Times …
