Westbury community let down by Liberals, again

Tasmanian Labor
  • Elise Archer yet to honour commitment
  • Westbury community fed up with Government secrecy
  • Liberals must come clean on northern prison plans
  • Elise Archer has still failed to honour her commitment to front a public meeting with the Westbury community regarding the proposed maximum security northern prison site.

    A meeting between the Westbury community and Ms Archer was agreed upon by the Westbury Region Against the Prison group with the condition that the entire community be

    welcomed to join if they wished. This commitment was taken in good faith by the community.

    In another display of denial from the Hodgman Government, Ms Archer has said that her commitment was to attend private 15-minute drop in sessions instead.

    A media release from the Westbury Region Against the Prison group has condemned Ms Archer’s comments.

    “This is completely disingenuous. The commitment given by the Minister was to attend a single meeting in an open public forum so that all in the community could attend. Residents to whom she made this commitment are utterly appalled.” – Westbury Region Against the Prison

    Labor Member for Lyons, Jen Butler, said the Westbury community is sick of the Hodgman Government’s persistent secrecy and insincere claims of community consultation.

    “Elise Archer’s blatant denial that she even made such a commitment to the people of Westbury is offensive, not only to the people of Westbury but to all Tasmanians who deserve honesty from their elected Ministers,” Ms Butler said.

    “The Hodgman Government’s penchant for secrecy is well known, which is why Westbury residents did not wish to speak with Elise Archer unless they were given a commitment that she would attend a public meeting open to the whole community.

    “Elise Archer must stop the delays and distractions and immediately commit to fronting the Westbury community to answer questions about the northern prison site.”

    Jen Butler

    Labor Member for Lyons

    /Public Release. View in full here.