Liberal Senators Must Keep Tasmania In Federation

Kerry O'Brien - Shadow Minister For Primary Industries & Resources

Media Statement 11 June 2002

All five Tasmanian Liberal Senators must stand-up to Minister Ruddock's 'I couldn't care less about Tasmania' attitude and ensure that Tasmania is not excluded from Australia's migration zone.

Minister Ruddock needs to be reminded that Tasmania is one of Australia's Federation states and is not to be discarded at his whim.

The Howard Government has often ignored or forgotten about Tasmania, as evidenced by their lack of support for InCat and their 'tight wad' attitude to Tasmania's World Heritage Area funding.

Where are the Tasmanian Liberal Senators who profess to represent Tasmania?

While Senator Abetz is busy sending out information about the movie "Rabbit Proof Fence" and acting as a film critic rather than fighting for a better deal for Tasmania, a great opportunity existed for Senator Barnett to put himself forward on this issue. Again the silence is deafening.

Senators Abetz, Barnett, Calvert, Colbeck and Watson should have the fortitude to lead a party room protest against the Immigration Minister on this issue. That would be a sign that they may actually be in Parliament to represent the Tasmanian public. At the moment they are as silent as their state colleagues with Bob Cheek missing in action again.

It's time the Tasmanian Liberals stood up and put Tasmanian concerns before their political self-interest.