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Reports that industry won’t see the legislation until tomorrow and no timeframe for the Opposition to be briefed shows the Prime Minister is only about politics and not about resolving the problems that his government created, Liberal Senator for Tasmania Richard Colbeck said today.

“Industry, workers and Tasmanian communities should not be in this situation,” Senator Colbeck said.

“This is a problem Labor created and have refused to act on for over 18 months, leaving every industry under the EPBC Act in uncertainty.

“If the Prime Minister wants bipartisanship on this issue, he should practice the open and honest government he promised at the last election.

“His actions on this legislation just amount to yet another broken promise from this government of broken promises.”

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“And just as she has in other decisions recently, Minister Plibersek has chosen to take the side of ‘anti-everything’ environmental groups at the expense of the thousands of people working in the industry.”

Australia has the most comprehensive and extensive marine protected areas of any country in the world, which were proclaimed only a few years ago after an extensive and fair establishment process put in place by the Coalition.

This comprehensive system provides protection to the environment and sensible access so that Australia has access to high quality local seafood through well-managed fisheries.

“Instead of leaving the industry alone, Labor are “going for more green” no-take zones in what appears to be a protection of Labor seats in big cities from the Greens,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Yet again, regional jobs in regional communities are being sacrificed to protect Labor seats in big cities.

“Just as we were forced to do during Labor’s last period in government, I have today lodged a motion in the Senate to disallow the new management plans.”

This has the ability to stop the Labor Government’s attempt to lock up prime fishing grounds.

“Labor’s incessant attacks on industry must come to a stop,” Senator Colbeck said.  

“Delayed approvals and anti-industry decisions have become the hallmark of this government. It’s time we got Australia back on track with sensible protection of the environment and support for job creating industries in our local regional communities.”

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This was also stated in the Tasmanian Government submission to the review process.

Mr Hingston said it was time for the government to make a decision.

“The Prime Minister must direct his Environment Minister to put an end to this madness,” he said.

“It is time that the Albanese Government acted on the science and the submission of the Tasmanian Government rather then being led around by the nose by dodgy environmental groups like the Environmental Defenders Office,” Mr Hingston said.

Senator Colbeck argued Tasmanian salmon workers shouldn’t be made to wait until after the election.

“If there needs to be legislation passed, recall the Parliament, the Coalition will assist,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Instruct the Environment Minister to make a decision, that’s her job, not to just kick the can down the road as we have seen so often with this government.”

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Despite every submission to the Senate Inquiry into the EPBC Amendment (Reconsideration of Decisions) Bill 2024 from job creating industries – with sectors including renewable energy, aquaculture, forestry, gas and mining – supporting the amendment, which provided certainty over environmental decisions where they have invested tens of thousands or even millions of dollars into, Labor spoke against the bill. Labor then voted to refuse a vote on the bill.

“Despite job creating industries saying they want greater certainty, Labor sided with the Greens and organisations like the discredited Environmental Defenders Office, who just before Christmas had an $9 million judgement handed down against them,” Senator Colbeck said.

Senator Colbeck said his sensible Private Senators’ legislation came about because Labor created a precedent of reconsidering an environmental decision that had been granted by another Labor minister over eleven years previously at the request of the discredited EDO and two other ENGOs.

“It is absurd that a government decision could be overturned after that period of time. Imagine a council coming back over a decade after they had granted building approval for your house and saying they want to reconsider the decision – long after the house was built!” Senator Colbeck said.

“Yet, just as they did in the last sitting week before Christmas when they passed forty-two pieces of legislation without debate in a dodgy deal with the Greens, Labor again side with the Greens to vote against industry and certainty for local jobs.

“Just as they always do, regardless of what they say, when it comes to the crunch, Labor flips back to do deals with the Greens at the expense of local communities, local jobs and local industry.”

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We have also clearly stated that we would not be impacting on front line services but that we want an efficient bureaucracy in Canberra.

It is Canberra where the employment explosion has occurred not Devonport and Burnie.

What is noticeable though is Labor has again given no answers when it comes to giving security to Private Sector Jobs – important to this region.

Still no answers on Job Security for Tasmania’s Salmon Workers to fix a problem of Labor’s own making.

Still no certainty for workers at Rosebery’s MMG mine where critical minerals for our energy transformation are sourced.

And they can’t even approve a wind farm on Robins Island that will create hundreds of jobs and form an important part of our energy supply.

Having a well-functioning and efficient Public Service is important but you can’t have any of it without the industry that generates the wealth that pays for it and Labor is failing on both counts.                                           

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Tasmania’s economy cannot be left behind because of Anthony Albanese’s home-grown inflation crisis.

Clear evidence was provided to the Committee as to how the effect of class slippage could be mitigated, and we call on the government to act urgently to address the impact of inflation on the scheme and the Tasmanian economy.

The Albanese Government has disadvantaged Tasmanian businesses by neglecting to enhance the scheme to ensure it meets the needs of Tasmania during their time in office. 

Tasmanian producers and businesses are responsible for some of the finest foods and products. The ability to get these products to markets around Australia and the world is critical to sustaining and growing jobs in Tasmania and underpinning investment in key industries.

Liberal Senators on the Committee support the work done by the inquiry and are convinced that the outcome must be urgent modernisation of the TFES to meet the current and future requirements of Tasmanian business and industry.

The full report and Coalition Senator’s additional comments can be read here.

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“If Saputo don’t want to run the business anymore, then they should get out of the way and let someone who wants to make a success of it do so.

“King Island is one of the best brands in the country.

“The brand and King Islanders deserve someone who will genuinely value it and invest to return it to the high-quality reputation it is famous for.

“Saputo must be genuine and cooperative with the sale process.”

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Senator for Tasmania, the Hon Richard Colbeck said despite strong support for the simple legislative change from those who undergo rigorous scrutiny to achieve environmental approvals under the EPBC Act, Labor have opted for continued uncertainty.

“In recent times we have seen Labor willing to spend tens of millions of taxpayer dollars in a shallow attempt to demonstrate support for industry,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Yet when the chips are genuinely down, instead of providing certainty, industry, communities and workers are seeing Labor again side with discredited organisations such as the Environmental Defenders Office and their supporters like the Bob Brown Foundation.

“Labor have shown again that their words are hollow, and in their actions, they continue to protect their own jobs in major city centres at the expense of the rest of us in the regions.

“It must be remembered that the problem this legislation seeks to resolve was needlessly created by Labor in the first place.

“It is predictable that they refuse to be a part of a sensible solution.”

The Coalition Senators Dissenting Report can be read here: Coalition Senators' Dissenting Report – Parliament of Australia

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Senator Colbeck said the inability of federal Labor to make critical decisions is flowing directly into the energy bills of consumers in a further cost of living blow to families, and creating higher costs for business and industry.

Unit prices for both residential and commercial users in Tasmania are rising by 7 per cent from 1 January.

The daily tariff for residential customers is being increased by a whopping 20 per cent while for commercial customers the rate is up by 3.5 per cent.

“At the last election Labor promised to lower power prices by $275 and yet they have increased by over $1000,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Labor also promised a lower cost of living, yet health is up by 10 per cent, education up by 11 per cent, food by 12 per cent, rents up 16 per cent and gas by 32 per cent and still rising.

“Labor made lots of big promises prior to the last election on the cost of living and those now broken promises are being felt in the back pockets and budgets of families and businesses across Tasmania.”

Solstice Energy price rise advice attached.

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Liberal Senator for Tasmania Richard Colbeck said evidence to the recent Senate inquiry into regional banking showed that the majority of those who prefer to use cash are senior Australians who are not comfortable with technology and the digitally disconnected, who were predominately disadvantaged.

“Through the inquiry we often wondered what was going through the minds of banking executives when they made decisions like this, and it’s just been proven by this backflip,” Senator Colbeck said.

“This is a decision that should never have been made in the first place, and it’s about time they came to their senses.

“For some people, and particularly in regional Australia, it is hard enough to access banking as it is. We don’t need the banks to make it even more expensive and therefore less accessible.”

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While the national result of the last Federal Election didn't result in a Coalition Government, the standout Liberal result in Tasmania is something we were glad to work with Peter on and we look forward to building on for this coming election.

There certainly is much work to do ahead of the election, but Peter has worked with the entire Federal team to ensure we are in a very strong position to convince the Tasmanian community we are the best team for them.

We wish Peter and his family the very best in their next challenge and thank him again for his efforts in his time with us.

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“The bill seeks to offer clear time limits and cut-off periods for decisions to be reconsidered and who is permitted to do so by law,” Senator Colbeck said.
“This proposed amendment introduces a time frame of 36 months from the day of the decision for a request for reconsideration of the decision to be made. After the 36-month period has passed, the authority to request reconsideration of the decision becomes the exclusive purview of a relevant minister from the state or territory in which the environmental approval applies.”

Senator Colbeck said this is standing up for families and communities who rely on industries like mining, fishing and forestry.

“This is about creating certainty,” he said.

“In 2012 for example it was determined that the proposed marine farming expansion in Macquarie Harbour was not a controlled action.

“Eleven years after this approval was given, the current Federal Minister for Environment opened this approval for consultation, at the behest of three activist groups.

“The precedent created by this decision casts doubt over the certainty of every approval granted under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

“Those who invest, local communities and those who work in industries that rely on environmental approvals deserve more certainty than an open-ended approvals process where reconsiderations of that approval can be instigated by anyone who just doesn’t like them seemingly at any time.

“This is why I am proposing a reasonable period of three years under current arrangements and after that, limiting appeals to a relevant minister in the jurisdiction where the approval has been granted.”

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For a year, workers in the salmon industry have been left wondering whether the federal Labor Government will shut down their industry.
The Liberals don’t need convincing on how important this industry is for Strahan, the West Coast and Tasmania but Tasmanian Labor Senators and members have been MIA.

We believe salmon farming and the Maugean skate can coexist in Macquarie Harbour and leadership needs to be shown by the Albanese Labor Government to find a pathway forward that does not come at the expense of a crucial industry for the West Coast.

In fact, it is the salmon industry that is investing in the work to ensure the skate’s survival.

Now is the time for Anne Urquhart, Helen Polley, Brian Mitchell and Julie Collins to stand up and deliver the right decision.

The delegation also met with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in Canberra, following Mr Dutton’s visit to the West Coast in January 2024.

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“This is not only a great way to discover new products for sale at Parliament House, but also a great way for the Parliament to support Australian suppliers in every state and territory.

“Tasmania arguably has some of the best products in the world let alone Australia - such as craft, whisky, chocolates, honey, and wine - with premium and high-quality products that make us the envy of the world.

“The Showcase is a great way for Parliament and as a representative to celebrate Tasmania to the rest of country and visitors from all around the world.

“I urge Tasmanian businesses to take up this opportunity. Applications from Tasmania are due by 30 April 2024 for showcasing in June 2024 and can be made by visiting the website for further details.”

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“Australia emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the most successful countries on the planet – both in terms of managing the virus and the economy. Scott Morrison’s leadership was critical to that success.

“We saved lives.

“We saved businesses.

“We saved jobs.

“We set the economy up for recovery post COVID.

“Despite Labor’s criticisms at the time on things like the vaccine roll out, as a Government we aimed to offer everyone in the country a COVID vaccine by October 2021 and did so by the middle of October – one of the most significant logistical exercises in our history.”

“His Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care was the most comprehensive and largest in dollar terms of any Royal Commission in Australia’s history and it is notable that three years later Labor still has not delivered a response to the findings, but have continued to implement the proposals set out in the Coalition’s response.

“There would also be no AUKUS or nuclear submarines without Scott Morrison. There is no way Labor could ever negotiate such an agreement.

“It is also worth noting that despite their appeasing language today, Labor supported all the actions taken by Scott Morrison to protect Australia from the bullying tactics from China. Scott Morrison’s actions were world-leading at the time and gave other nations the courage to stand up to the aggressive tactics that China was trying around the world.

“There will be plenty who want to throw barbs, but we should be acknowledging extraordinary service in extraordinary times that saw Australia through a very difficult period and come out so strongly.”

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What he didn’t say was that Coles and Woolworths announced in October that this year ham prices would be the cheapest they have been in years.

Minister Watt’s big savings measure was to name the one product that wasn’t contributing to cost-of-living increases this year.

Just another load of blagging and bluster from the Minister that is continuously ignored by his colleagues.

He has been walked over by Chris Bowen over energy infrastructure on agricultural land;

Walked over by Tanya Plibersek on water for farms in the Murray;

Walked over again by Tanya Plibersek on the salmon industry in Tasmania;

And now clearly being ignored by the Treasurer who, if the government genuinely wanted to do something about the supermarkets, could issue a direction to the ACCC Agricultural Commissioner to conduct an investigation into the actions of the supermarkets.

Instead, we get a Minister pretending to be tough by calling for a price freeze on the one product that will be the cheapest in years.

Blagging and bluster will get you only so far and this year Minister Watt has come up empty for Christmas consumers.

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Labor promised us a lower cost of living, but costs continue to rise. Yet another broken promise.

Labor promised lower housing costs – but costs are only going up. Yet another broken promise.

Two weeks ago Labor couldn’t tell us the last time the price of petrol was below two dollars per litre, today they couldn’t tell the Senate how much extra someone with an average mortgage would be paying, they are clearly not focussed on the things that really matter to Australians.

Labor’s talking points will try to suggest the Government understands that continued interest rate rises hurt Australians, but we aren’t interested in spin – we want Labor to keep promises made at the election. And when Labor tries to blame international factors, we have to reflect that Australia’s inflation rate is higher than almost every major advanced economy.

The Reserve Bank is now left to do the heavy lifting because this current government isn’t doing its bit. It is time for Labor to keep its election promises and not just blame everyone else.

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“Then supporting Tasmanian businesses via the TFES is an ideal way to do so.

“The almost 10% increase in the cost of shipping advised to industry only days ago will have a huge impact on Tasmania and the Government needs to be across the detail.

“Increased support through the TFES will mitigate the impact and ease the effect on inflation, resulting in a win, win.

“A failure to support industry will just rip more money out of the state including King and Flinders Islands and potentially add to inflation where business has the opportunity to pass costs on.” Senator Colbeck said this cost rise is a real test for Labor.

“Tasmanian Labor members can’t just stand by and talk about cost of living relief in the Budget,” he said. “In this time of need, they must step up and provide urgent indexation to the TFES that supports the industry in Tasmania.”

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“Many hurdles have been put in the way of Tasmania gaining entry, and through perseverance and persistence we have overcome all those obstacles,” Senator Colbeck said.

“Congratulations to the Tasmanian Government for leading the most recent effort and to the members of the taskforce along with the Tasmanian football community for showing their passion and commitment to the game.

“Boys and girls in Tasmania will now have the local opportunity to play in the same way as every other state.

“To mark the first season of Tasmania’s participation, the AFL should bring ‘Gather Round’ to Tassie.

“Tasmania is now what it should have been years ago – a fully-fledged AFL state.

“We are passionate AFL supporters and have contributed some of the greatest names to the game.

“A brilliant way to celebrate our entry to the competition and the other great aspects of aussie rules football would be to host ‘Gather Round’ where it could occur in the most regionally applied approach of any state in Australia.

“Hosting games in Hobart, Launceston and on the North West Coast would also show the rest of Australia how passionate we really are about our footy.

“Perhaps we could even send teams to play at Queenstown and let them see how serious we really are about our footy!”

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Senator Colbeck also called on Labor representatives in Tasmania to genuinely get behind the bid and support funding of the entire bid, given none other than David O’Byrne has done so to date.

“The AFL should also open up the opportunity for Tasmania to host ‘Gather Round’ when the current government agreement with South Australia expires in 2027.

“Tasmania is now what it should have been years ago – a fully-fledged AFL state, and as such should be in the race to host ‘Gather Round’ just like other states.

“We are passionate AFL supporters and have contributed some of the greatest names to the game. We should be given the opportunity to celebrate that and the other great aspects of aussie rules football but hosting ‘Gather Round’ here where it could be done in the most regionally applied approach of any state in Australia.

“Hosting games in Hobart, Launceston and on the North West Coast would also show the rest of Australia how passionate we really are about our footy.

“Perhaps we could send teams to play at Queenstown and let them see how serious we really are!”

ENDS

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