Labor will be calling on Premier Peter Gutwein in Parliament this week to provide clear details of the steps his Government has taken to protect Tasmanians when our borders reopen at the end of the month.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said with just two weeks to go before border restrictions are eased, there are still gaping holes in Tasmania’s level of readiness.
“It’s alarming that as recently as last week we heard the Government had only just begun discussions with our airports about the measures they need to put in place to manage the numbers of people arriving in the state,” Ms White said.
“Peter Gutwein has had adequate time to prepare our major ports for the increase in visitor traffic and to make sure that staff are fully trained to carry out necessary health checks. But it seems none of this work has been advanced.
“It’s unthinkable that these plans are not already in place, with simulation drills being run at all facilities and clear protocols in place to deal with any arrivals displaying symptoms of COVID-19.
“It’s the same cavalier attitude that Peter Gutwein seems to take towards the appalling conduct of his Ministers.
“The Ministerial future of Housing Minister Roger Jaensch hangs in the balance, with the Parliament this week set to debate how he misled the House.
“But Peter Gutwein sees fit to ignore his Minister’s lie to the Parliament.
“And therefore the Premier has failed in his duty to ensure his Ministers face the consequences for lying to the Tasmanian community.”
Rebecca White MP
Labor Leader
