Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson

Greens Health spokesperson and Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP said the Greens would seek further answers this week on the presence of elevated lead levels in the water supply at Rosebery.

“The discovery of elevated levels of lead in Rosebery’s residential water supply is a matter of serious concern for residents, and must be addressed as quickly as possible,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“We will be doing everything in our power to make sure that the source of this pollutant is identified and addressed, and support is offered to those affected.”

“It appears too early to say whether it is related to previous concerns over environmental lead levels at Rosebery, but the concerns of residents at this point are entirely understandable.”

“The Greens will be closely monitoring the response to this contamination, because we believe residents and families at Rosebery are entitled to expect a safe and reliable water supply.”

Paul O’Halloran MP
Greens Health Spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today called on candidates in the Retirement Benefit Fund’s board elections to declare up front whether they support continued investment of public servants’ superannuation in tobacco companies.

Greens Health spokesperson Paul O’Halloran MP said that the RBF currently has about $27 million invested in companies like Philip Morris, British-American Tobacco and Imperial Tobacco.

“There are eight candidates in the running, and only one of those candidates has made any reference in their statement to RBF investing in tobacco products, and even that was only advocating for a review,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“What I am calling for is a clear statement about what prospective board members will do in the event they are elected, so that voters can make an informed choice.”

“Every fund member can use their influence to bring about positive change, by voting for candidates who support an end to tobacco investments.”

“I would urge all candidates should to go a step further, and promise to actively support investment in ethical healthcare stocks that deliver both health and financial returns.”

“We believe that very few fund members would support this type of investment and that, with enough positive pressure, the board will take action.”

“The superannuation of government employees should not be used to prop up tobacco industry interests, whose products cost thousands of lives and billions of dollars.”

“Other public superannuation entities around the country are winding up their investments in these unsavoury companies, and it’s disappointing for Tasmania to be lagging.”

Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today urged the State Liberals to reconsider and vote in support of introducing the $1 bet limit on poker machines, saying they have a real opportunity to make a real difference for Tasmanians.

Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said that need for real pokie reform is urgent, especially as it is expected there will still not be sufficient money in the State budget to meet the needs identified by NGO welfare organisations.

“Under Will Hodgman as Leader in 2009, current sitting Liberal MPs including Deputy Leader Jeremy Rockliff, Rene Hidding and Peter Gutwein all voted in support of introducing a $1 bet limit on pokies,” Mr Booth said.

“It is not surprising that the community is now demanding to know from them what has changed since then.

“Tasmanians are still losing close to a shocking $200 million a year on pokies, while welfare organisations are crying out for more assistance to help those in need.””

“Was it all just a hollow pre-election sham in 2009 when those Liberal MPs voted in support of then-Liberal Gaming spokesperson Brett Whiteley’s amendment to introduce $1 bet limits?”

“Although the Greens voted in support of the Liberals amendment in 2009 we did not have the numbers to carry it through.  However, if the Liberals were to vote this week consistent with their previous track record, the power-sharing Parliament means we are in a position to make a real difference for those Tasmanian families and local businesses suffering from pokie addiction.”

“Tasmanians are losing a whopping $16million – $20 million each month on pokies.  Those affected families, friends and workplaces all deserve to have the Liberals stand by their word and vote for change.”

“The Greens will be bringing on for a vote our Bill to introduce a $1 Bet Limit this Wednesday in State Parliament, and we are urging the Liberal Opposition to examine their conscience, to go back and read again what they put on the public record when their own Gaming spokesperson at the time moved a similar amendment, and to take this opportunity on Wednesday to vote to make a difference for Tasmanians,” Mr Booth said.

Cassy O’Connor MP
Greens Environment Spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today said that the Federal Government’s decision to renew funding for Antarctic research in Tasmania was important vote of confidence in Tasmania’s role as the world’s Antarctic gateway.

Greens Environment spokesperson Cassy O’Connor MP said the promise of $25 million over five years would help cement Hobart’s role as a national scientific research hub.

“The funding is significantly less than what the Greens were pushing for, but it will allow this fantastic scientific endeavour to continue here in Hobart,” Ms O’Connor said.

“It means Hobart will remain the national centre for climate and Antarctic science, and home to some of the best scientific minds in this field.”

“It’s a real sign of faith in the importance of the working that’s being done here in Hobart in understanding our climate ecosystems and the relationship with the Southern Ocean and Antarctica.”

“Hobart is a global hotbed of scientific endeavour and leading the way is the ACE CRC in partnership with the Antarctic Division, CSIRO and UTAS. “

“The CRC is internationally renowned and a key player responsible in attracting the International Panel on Climate Change who met in Hobart in January this year.”

“I applaud the work of the Hobart based scientists on the many fascinating projects underway and wish them all the best for the future. I also commend Tony Press and his board for their vision and commitment.”

“Hobart and Tasmania are very proud that the ACE CRC calls this place home and we hope to see it here long into the future.”

Kim Booth MP
Greens Energy Spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today said that as the time draws closer for a decision to be made on Tasmania’s feed-in tariff, the Liberal Party was still playing political games with businesses and livelihoods.

Greens Energy spokesperson Kim Booth MP said the Greens were still the only party with a post-FRC policy for feed-in tariffs, and that the delays to the other two parties announcing a position were causing uncertainty for industry and homeowners.

“Labor will shortly announce their policy on feed-in tariffs and it is now way past time for the Liberal Party to let Tasmanians know what their position is on feed-in tariffs,” Mr Booth said.

“The Greens are still the only Party in Tasmania with a policy on feed-in tariffs and the Liberal’s must come out and say whether or not they support the Greens Policy for an Independent Panel to determine a fair feed-in price.”

“The Liberals’ game, as usual, is to avoid committing to a position and just throw stones.  Their game is solely for their political advancement and it creates further uncertainty among homeowners and industry players.”

“The Liberals could use the opportunity of a power sharing parliament to do something constructive and useful for the solar industry, but their track record during this term has been to just throw stones.”

“The Greens’ policy has been recognised by stakeholders as a sophisticated and innovative proposal that is ideally suited to the new market environment following the introduction of full retail contestability.”

“The Greens’ policy is environmentally, socially and economically appropriate.  Our position proposes that, as a transitional arrangement, the current 1:1 feed-in-tariff provisions are maintained for new and existing customers for a period of two years.”

“After this a fair minimum tariff will be determined, with a sliding scale ensuring that the real value to the grid, depending where and when the transmission is made, is realised”

“The only certain thing about the Liberals position is that they have none, which could mean that there will be no feed in tariff until after Christmas if they get their way.”

The Tasmanian Greens today responded to news that the Chief Executive of Forestry Tasmania, Mr Bob Gordon, would be stepping down.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said the announcement was a strong indication that the Forestry Tasmania Board was serious about change and the need to meet community expectations for a modern, sustainable timber industry.

“Forestry Tasmania has clearly recognised that business as usual is no longer an option, and that the shift to a modern timber industry has begun,” Mr McKim said.

“The corporation faces big challenges ahead with the up-coming restructure and the shift toward full Forest Stewardship Council certification now that the Tasmanian Forests Agreement Bill has passed.”

“Finding a suitable replacement will be critical, because achieving FSC will require somebody with a strong understanding of modern, sustainable industry practices and an appreciation of ecological and social concerns.”

“Corporate cultural change has been a long time coming for Forestry Tasmania, and a lot of Tasmanians have expressed frustration at the organisation’s refusal leave behind outdated forestry practices.”

“As the third senior executive to Forestry Tasmania within nine months, Mr Gordon’s announcement should signal to Tasmanians that change is underway from the top down.”

“For the sake of our high conservation value forests, Tasmania needs a restructured timber industry that respects our precious ecosystems and meets modern expectations.”

The Tasmanian Greens today reiterated their support for a Tarkine National Park, and called on union leader Paul Howes to learn the lessons from past industry mistakes.

Greens Member for Braddon Paul O’Halloran MP said that Paul Howes’ sporadic tours to Tasmania did nothing but promote conflict and he was pushing a selfish agenda that was not in the state’s best interests.

“Mr Howes, who flies in every six months with his old style divisive politics, is trying to sell Tasmanians a pup,” said Mr O’Halloran.

“The quid pro quo is simple. Trash one of the world’s greatest wilderness destinations in return for a short term industry bubble that will send its profits offshore.”

“There is not even any guarantee that companies will hire local staff, and I am hearing anecdotally that companies are looking at hiring FIFO employees from the mainland.”

“The so-called benefits that this industry will bring Tasmania are over-exaggerated.”

“We will get a few years of activity and then be left with more ghost towns dotting the landscape, more holes in the ground, and toxic water leeching into pristine river systems.”

“We need to think further ahead than this by instead advocating for the significant jobs potential of what’s already been recognised as one of the world’s greatest wilderness areas.”

“In an age where developing countries are stripping their landscapes of every single resource, Tasmania should be protecting its natural assets which will only grow in value as time goes on.”

“This area that inspired this year’s Glover Prize winner, its values are recommended for listing on the National Heritage List which it deserves, as the Kakadu of the north-west coast,” Mr O’Halloran said

Kim Booth MP
Greens Gaming Spokesperson

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Federal Liberal Party’s newfound concern for the victims of gambling addiction, and urged the State Liberals to support upcoming legislation to reduce the impact of poker machine addiction in Tasmania.

Greens Gaming spokesperson Kim Booth MP said Tony Abbott’s call to ban live betting during televised sporting events would be seen as hypocritical, unless the State Liberals also agreed to support the Greens’ push for a state-based $1 bet limit on poker machines later this month.

“It will be interesting to see whether the Liberal Party’s newfound concern for the plight of gambling addicts extends to the victims of poker machine addiction in Tasmania,” Mr Booth said

“The Greens have a Bill coming up for debate in State Parliament that would dramatically reduce the harm from poker machines in Tasmania by introducing a $1 per spin bet limit on all machines.”

“We are calling on the Liberal Party to commit to supporting our Bill when it comes before the House of Assembly.”

“The Liberal Party supported $1 bet limits just a few years ago, and now that the Greens hold the balance of power they have the opportunity to do something about it.”

“Former Liberal MP Brett Whiteley pursued a $1 maximum bet limit in the House of Assembly in November 2009.  At that time, his amendment was defeated by the majority Labor government.”

“Liberal MP Dr Vanessa Goodwin also introduced the same amendment to the Legislative Council, but which she then sought to withdraw.”

“Labor has been consistent in its opposition to a $1 bet limit but if the Liberal Party chose to, we could get this legislation through and make a difference for people with problem gambling.”

The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the immediate protection of more than 500,000 hectares of high conservation value forests under the Tasmanian Forest Agreement Bill 2012.

Greens Leader Nick McKim MP said that although the Bill was far from perfect, it delivered a number of significant conservation and economic gains for Tasmania.

“This legislation provides for the immediate protection of more than 500,000 hectares of forest that the conservation movement, backed by the Greens, have been fighting to protect for decades,” Mr McKim said.

“The Styx, Weld, Florentine, Tasman Peninsula, Huon, Blue Tiers and many more areas will receive protection under law, with a pathway toward the creation of formal, permanent reserves.”

“These areas have been the focus of some of bitter conflict and division in Tasmania for a very long time, and it is our hope that this legislation will help to act as a circuit breaker.”

“I understand that many people in the environment movement had hoped for stronger conservation guarantees from this process, just as the Greens did.”

“Although these forests will soon be under interim protection, there are still significant uncertainties over the creation of permanent reserves because of the wrecking amendments inserted by the Upper House.”

“The Upper House amendments delay the creation of reserves and allow either House of the Parliament to use protest or market disruption as an excuse to move a disallowance motion that, if passed, would block formal reserve listing.”

“We need to keep in mind that the power of either House of Parliament to block the creation of any new parks already exists, and simply requires a vote in either House.”

“The right to protest is essential for democracy and must be preserved, but we hope that over time people will see that this legislation can deliver the high levels of forest protection that everyone in the environment movement wants to see.”

“Failure to permanently list these areas in formal reserves will be the fault of the Legislative Council, who took the wrecking ball to the signatories’ agreement.”

“It is also hard to escape the conclusion that the amendments were a politically motivated attempt to destroy the conservation outcomes contained in the signatories’ agreement but avoid taking the responsibility for doing so.”

“We should also not forget that this legislation will unlock hundreds of millions of dollars for regional Tasmania, to help restructure the economy for the twenty first century.”

“It’s a major boost for Tasmania’s economic transition, and will help to transform our economy away from an overreliance on resource extraction into exciting, new, sustainable industries.”

“There’s been a bit of focus in the media on the decision by Kim Booth to vote against the Upper House amendments bill, and the difference of opinion between the State and Federal Greens.”

“We all shared the same deep concerns about the Legislative Council amendments.  The main difference of opinion is on how to best deal with them.”

“We’re very relaxed about Greens MPs holding different viewpoints, and we don’t try to bind our members to a vote in the way that other political parties do.”

“It’s a good sign that democracy is alive and well in our party.”