The Rockliff Liberal Government welcomes the release of the The Tasmanian Minerals, Manufacturing and Energy Council’s Tarkine: It’s been working campaign
Minister for Resources and Member for Braddon Felix Ellis said the Campaign set the record straight that the Tarkine is not “pristine wilderness” but an example of jobs and the environment coexisting for generations.
“In spite of misinformation peddled by the Green movement, mining, forestry and energy in the Tarkine continues to coexist with recreational pursuits, tourism ventures and the environment, as they have done for generations,” Minister Ellis said.
“The area has seen over 173 current or former mineral extraction sites over the past 150 years.”
Minister Ellis said that Green lock-ups in the Tarkine would be economic vandalism that would throw the future for the region’s economy into doubt.
“The Green activists in the Bob Brown Foundation made it abundantly clear again yesterday; they’re out to lock up the Tarkine.
“My answer is simple: not on my watch.
“Tasmanian mining supports 5900 direct jobs, provides billions in export earnings to the State and delivers the strategic and critical minerals we need for a clean energy future.
“Ongoing attacks from radical environmentalists on projects such as the Rosebery mine’s tailing storage facility or the proposed Mt Lindsay tin-tungsten mine undermine the contribution Tasmania can make in building a clean energy future.
“While the mindless attacks of the Greens are no surprise, Labor need to firmly state their commitment to the region.
“With the decision on Rosebery’s future sitting on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek’s desk for 18 months now, Anthony Albanese needs to step in and put the interests of Tasmania workers ahead of keeping Ms Plibersek’s left-wing constituents in Sydney happy,” Minister Ellis said.
