Today
in Question Time, Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer was asked
whether she would support impacted farmers across the North and North-West of
the state whose properties will be adversely affected by the transmission lines
associated with Project Marinus.
Rather
than answer the question, the Minister detailed the energy projects occurring
in the Dorset region on the other side of Tasmania.
The Minister’s
answer demonstrated a complete lack of concern for those who helped the state
produce a $2 billion farmgate value last year.
This
is a Minister who is clearly out of her depth and not across her portfolio
responsibilities.
I
have been speaking to those farmers who will be impacted by the proposed
upgrade to infrastructure on the Palmerston to Sheffield transmission line and
they are worried their concerns are not being heard.
The
Minister has failed to see the massive financial impact this could have on our
farmers.
It
will disrupt their farming operations, threaten the biosecurity of their
properties and put their livelihoods, and that of future generations, at risk.
It is time the Minister stood up for the state’s primary producers.
Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Water
