The
Hodgman Liberal Government has been so consumed by chaos and dysfunction that
it has ignored a major threat to the Tasmanian economy.
The
Premier revealed last week that he hadn’t met with South32 since May 30,
despite the fact that 300 jobs are on the line at the Temco smelter in
Tasmania’s north east.
In
trying to mount a defence, the Premier said he had a meeting with South32
executives tomorrow.
Labor
Member for Bass, Michelle O’Byrne, said the only reason South32 executives were
in Hobart tomorrow was because Labor had organised a meeting with them.
“It is
dishonest for the Premier to claim he is fighting for the jobs of 300 people at
Temco when the Labor Opposition has to organise important meetings for him,” Ms
O’Byrne said.
“His
hands off approach to this major threat to Tasmania’s economy is alarming and
he doesn’t seem to care about the devastating impact this closure would have on
George Town and across the north of the state.
“The Premier needs to update Parliament on what measures the Government has put on the table to keep the smelter open and protect the 300 jobs.”
Michelle O’Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Economic Development, Jobs and ICT
