Welcome to the latest edition of Clark Matters, Andrew’s monthly email newsletter to help keep you abreast of federal politics and what he’s been up to.
Federal Government’s salmon bill on the nose
In a blatant attempt to win a handful of votes in Braddon, the Federal Government bypassed its own Minister for the Environment and rushed through laws exempting the salmon industry in Macquarie Harbour from environmental obligations, while the country was distracted by the Federal Budget and the upcoming election. Shamefully the Opposition supported the Bill.
Granting the salmon industry a free pass during Tasmania’s worst mass salmon death event is a new low for both parties. The public has been kept in the dark about the significant environmental and health impacts, while beaches on the east coast are littered with diseased and decomposing salmon carcasses and rancid fish oil. Meanwhile, the endangered Maugean Skate faces extinction due to the unsustainable salmon farming in Macquarie Harbour which is now baked into legislation.
Before the last election the Labor Party promised no new extinctions and a rewrite of environmental laws to protect nature. Andrew is appalled that they’ve broken that promise, instead rushing through legislation to pander to foreign-owned corporations and accelerate the extinction of threatened species.
Social media firestorm
It is not surprising that Andrew’s recent off-the-cuff takedown of the Tasmanian Government’s disgraceful mismanagement went viral, attracting more than 50,000 views on Facebook alone. At almost every turn you can find examples of government incompetence that is depriving Tasmanians of essential services and putting the State on a catastrophic pathway to bankruptcy.
State Government debt is forecast to reach almost $10 billion by mid-2028, and some $16 billion in a decade. And what do we have to show for that? Two new ships that are rusting away overseas because the government forgot to build a port, chronic traffic congestion with no solution on the table, a broken health system, a school system struggling with inadequate funding, a health and environmental disaster in our salmon industry, Australia’s lowest literacy rates, and Australia’s worst housing crisis with a homelessness rate in Tasmania that’s increased by 45% over the last five years.
Frankly the situation is appalling, and a great many people are outraged. But the community can at least be confident that Andrew is firmly on their side and will never hesitate to challenge the State Government on their gross mismanagement.
Drab Federal Budget
The Federal Budget is a dull piece of work that again falls well short of the bold reforms needed to address the significant challenges confronting Australia and Australians. It serves as a shameful testimony to the political timidity and lack of vision shared by whichever major party has been in government in recent decades.
On a brighter note, however, for Clark, we do see confirmed support for the Royal Hobart Hospital Maternity Ward, the new Icebreaker berth and substantial urban renewal. Also notable is the $80 million for the Southern Outlet, all or at least most of which looks set to be spent within Clark. Andrew was not fooled by the token $3 million for the captive breeding program of the Maugean Skate, though, seeing as it’s a fiscal fig-leaf for a government that’s complicit in driving the prehistoric animal to extinction.
Make sure you’re registered to vote
The federal election has been called for Saturday 3 May. Voting is compulsory, so please ensure that you’re enrolled as quickly as possible because the rolls will close very shortly. Andrew will be seeking re-election in Clark and, if you’d like to support him, please visit: www.supportandrewwilkie.com
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Yours sincerely
