Peter Brohier, Convener of National Sea Highway Groups, today called again on the Prime Minister of Australia and the Leader of the Opposition to properly link Tasmania to the national transport network, as they have done with all other states.

He said, “There seems there seems to be two possible options for Tasmania –

• For the Australian Government to properly incorporate Bass Strait transport into the national transport network effectively linking Tasmania to the rest of the nation. Also, to appoint a Royal Commission to investigate why the most significant well funded Howard core promise to the people of Tasmania in decades regarding Bass Strait transport equality has and is being reduced to almost nothing.

• To investigate whether, in the absence failure to deliver this necessary link, whether both Tasmania and the rest of the nation would be better off if Tasmania was restored to its former position as a British colony and exited the federation.

This approach would reduce Tasmania’s current dependence on other states. It would offer Tasmania the ability to use its natural and developed strengths to greater advantage and directly integrate its economy with that of London. There may also be strategic implications.

It many also allow brand Tasmania to be sold to the world as premium products and ensure direct transport services for people and products to world markets through established and new trade links.

Such a move may now be in keeping with the developing state of affairs in the Parliament at Westminster and the Crown – the parties that may need to sanction such an outcome”.

Mr. Brohier went on to say, “Tasmania should not be allowed to continue to go backwards while the rest of the nation continues to be linked by billions of dollars in vital federal infrastructure.

Tasmania should not be denied the surface transport equality crossing Bass Strait that it enjoyed at the time of federation.

The effective working of the whole Bass Strait transport artery remained vital to every social and economic activity in Tasmania. Existing federal equalization schemes fall far short of meeting this task.”
Peter Brohier, OFFICE OF THE CONVENER OF NATIONAL SEA HIGHWAY GROUPS