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No confidence in Liberal Party's ability to tackle tough issues

Thu 30 August 2012

Lara Giddings

Premier

The Premier, Lara Giddings, said the people of Tasmania are tired of the Liberal Party substituting leadership and constructive debate for arguments and shallow stunts.

Ms Giddings said today's motion was the 11th no confidence or censure motion since the 2010 election.

"The Liberal Party follows a clear pattern - whenever issues become difficult or complex, instead of putting forward ideas and solutions they resort to shallow stunts," Ms Giddings said.

"Yesterday we tabled the second stage of the URS Review into Forestry Tasmania which makes it clear that the entity must be restructured to prevent future losses to the taxpayer.

"Instead of telling the Tasmanian people what they would do in response to this report, Will Hodgman has resorted to hot-air and hyperbole.

"The Liberals appear to want to cement the status quo which means losses of $35 million a year and an uncertain future for Forestry Tasmania employees and the broader industry.

"It is the same approach he has taken to the State's Budget challenge - always playing the politics and running a mile from responsibility and leadership.

"It is no wonder Will Hodgman says his greatest achievement was avoiding becoming Premier at the last election.

"Today's lacklustre and predictable stunt only confirms that Mr Hodgman lacks the backbone needed to govern.

"In contrast the Deputy Premier, Bryan Green, has been working tirelessly to secure the future of the Tasmanian forest industry.

"Trying to bring an end to a 30 year conflict has not been easy but Mr Green has demonstrated resolve and commitment to put the forest industry on a sustainable footing.

"Will Hodgman would not only let the battle rage on - he would escalate it.

"Tasmanians want to see an end to this long-running saga while the Liberal Party wants to stoke the fires of division for their own political gain."