Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader and Parks spokesperson
Pressure on the Liberals about the exploitative Expressions of Interest process has been building for years and has reached new heights in the last few months. It’s no surprise they are making a desperate attempt to deflect attention.
The report being commissioned into the profits from nature-based tourism is just a blatant attempt at greenwashing.
The Hodgman Government are spending $40 000 of public funds on this study to try to take the heat out of their privatisation of public protected areas.
We don’t need a taxpayer funded study, we know what the problem is. The problem is not properly managing the increase in visitation, and privatising rather than protecting wilderness.
Parks Minister, Peter Gutwein, and his Liberal colleagues are feeling the pressure from Tasmanians from all walks of life over their secretive EOI process. This is simply a deflection.
The title of the report - Understanding the economic contribution of nature tourism to Tasmania’s economy – says everything you need to know about the Liberals’ attitude to our National Parks, reserves and World Heritage wilderness. They know the price of everything, and the value of nothing.