Senator Christine Milne press conference
Launceston, Tasmania
1.00pm, 20 August 2014

Comments about Tasmanian issues

Tasmanian economy

A new report out today shows Tasmania is spending $17 million to prop up mining and minerals processing industries, even though low global prices are rendering some mines unviable, said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"The Australia Institute report shows that for the $17 million in corporate welfare to the miners from the Tasmanian government on roads and other subsidies, we got back just $49 million in royalties," Senator Milne said.

Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne has praised the World Heritage Committee decision overnight to uphold Tasmania's Wilderness World Heritage boundaries as a victory for common sense.

"This is a great win for the forests, for wildlife and for Tasmania," Senator Milne said.

"It's been clear for decades that these forests are of world heritage value, the only person unable to see it is Tony Abbott.

The Australian Greens say the Tasmanian government cannot be trusted to properly assess the environmental impacts of development in national parks and World Heritage areas, for which it has today opened expressions of interest.

"Unfortunately in Tasmania we have a government with the mentality that if you can't dig it up or cut it down then you should put a resort on it. That's a very bad idea," said Greens Leader Christine Milne.

"The Greens want Tasmania to benefit from a strong tourism industry, so the Hodgman government has to get real.

Australian Greens Leader and Tasmanian Senator Christine Milne says the Abbott government's own Environment Department has again undermined claims that large swathes of the Tasmanian Wilderness should lose World Heritage protection.

"The World Heritage Committee will be disgusted that the Australian Government so brazenly tried to mislead it, in efforts to access forests for logging" said Senator Milne.

The Australian Greens are delighted that the World Heritage draft decision recommends its Committee not approve the Abbott government's bid to delist 74,000 hectares of precious forest from the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

"This outright rejection is the best possible result - for Tasmania's forests, Australia's international reputation, and the integrity of World Heritage sites everywhere," said Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne.

A Senate inquiry has called on the Abbott government to withdraw its proposal to reduce the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area by 74,000 hectares, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"The Senate inquiry has also called for Australia to stand by its promise to the World Heritage Committee to assess by June 2015 the Aboriginal cultural values of additions to the Area," Senator Milne said.