Cassy O'Connor MP | Greens Leader, Parks spokesperson
Tasmanians have a right to know what their government is doing on their behalf – especially when it comes to public lands.
For years the Liberals have refused to release any information about their EOI proposals. The Greens, media organisations, and other groups have had to fight tooth and nail for every scrap of information.
The Ombudsman’s decision to compel the release of the exclusive leases for Halls Island has set a strong example for information relating to all other EOI projects.
The leases for all EOI projects in public protected areas should be released immediately.
Now that the precedent has been set, the Greens plan to request lease details for all EOI proposals.
Rather than wasting the already over-stretched resources of DPIPWE and the Ombudsman, the Premier should read the writing on the wall and simply direct the Department to release all information about EOI proposals.
The Liberals have been hiding behind the veil of “commercial-in-confidence” for years, but this decision shows this justification is complete hogwash. Tasmanians deserve to know what deals are being made to privatise their public protected areas, apparently at bargain basement prices and for the exclusive use of the wealthy few.