Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens Tourism spokesperson
The Greens welcome the visitors that are coming to our shores, but warn the government to protect our wild places and regional communities from ruin.
Decisions we make now will determine whether tourism is a sustainable, long term industry, which benefits future generations of Tasmanians, or a short term boom and bust.
We don't want to be faced with overdevelopment, a degraded wilderness, disappointed tourists and locals, and dwindling economic returns.
The world is discovering Tasmania's unique beauty and wildness, but our government flatly refuses to put in place processes that would protect it.
The T21 Progress Report refers to the government's secret EOI process for our Parks and World Heritage Area, but fails to mention the slashing of funding for management of the TWWHA and the cuts to Parks and Wildlife under Federal and State Liberal Governments.
While the Liberals are happy to take credit for the lower Australian dollar and its resulting increase in tourist numbers, they seem less inclined to support the communities they're directing visitors to.
The struggles on Bruny Island and the Tasman Peninsula are the likely tip of the iceberg if the government doesn't get this right.
Our wild places, our food and wine economy and tourism sector need to be managed sustainably and encouraged flourish for locals and visitors alike.
Tasmania should be the gem in the Australian tourism crown for generations to come.