Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Environment spokesperson
The Liberals’ corrupted EOI process for tourism development within Parks and Reserves is under yet another cloud.
The Premier and Parks Minister, Will Hodgman, refused to address questions raised in Parliament, ahead of the first public information session being held today, about the serious conflict of interest in the drafting of the Tourism Master Plan for the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.
The government’s chosen consultant is someone who has worked for at least one EOI proponent, and been involved in the design of the Cradle Mountain Master Plan.
As usual, when it comes to this pro-development, corrupted EOI process, Premier Hodgman dismissed the concerns of the many Tasmanians who want a say in what happens to their special, publicly-owned protected areas.
The Premier is outsourcing the drafting of the Tourism Master Plan at a cost to Tasmanian taxpayers of $300,000, and he is obliged to come clean.
Why was this consultant chosen, instead of seeking another without a direct conflict of interest?
Is Premier Hodgman really planning to hand UNESCO – who asked for the Tourism Master Plan to be completed before any EOI proposal was considered – a document that would be compromised by such a serious conflict of interest?