Greens Leader Cassy O’Connor must apologise for her disgraceful slur against log truck drivers during debate on the Forestry (Unlocking Production Forests) Bill.
Ms O’Connor asserted that “log trucks kill people” in an appalling attempt to create fear in our community to further her own political agenda at the expense of hard-working Tasmanians and, understandably, she has offended many people.
At the time, I called on Ms O’Connor to withdraw her comments and to apologise, but she chose instead to repeat them and cause even more distress in the community.
I have since been contacted by drivers and by representative associations, including both the Tasmanian and Australian Forest Contractors Associations, raising their concerns, and so I am again calling on Ms O’Connor to do the right thing.
The fact is that those behind the wheel of log trucks are professional drivers who are dedicated to the highest levels of road safety and consideration for other road users.
They are no different to those who drive milk tankers or the many trucks we see laden with containers on our roads every day.
When it comes to road safety, all of us have a responsibility to abide by the road rules and to look out for other road users.
Ms O’Connor’s comments have upset log truck drivers and their families, some of whom have experienced serious or even fatal crashes that were not their fault.
She must apologise.