Will Hodgman MP
Leader of the Opposition
Thursday 18 March, 2010

Labor has proved it’s no friend to the environment and the Bartlett Government’s decision to axe the Department of Environment, Parks, Heritage and Arts (DEPHA) in 2009 is the pinnacle of Labor’s contempt for Tasmania’s unique environmental assets.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will undo the damage done to the environment, our Parks and Heritage during the Labor’s 11 years of neglect and complacency.

We will establish an adequately resourced, streamlined, standalone environment and parks department. We will ensure the environmental values for which Tasmania is known are given the status and attention they deserve at the highest governmental level.

We will invest $1 million in a Private Land Conservation Fund to facilitate biodiversity offsets for developers and local government. This will also assist land owners to conserve areas of their property with high conservation values in a voluntary and cooperative way that will also have great benefits for some of Tasmania most precious areas.

A Majority Hodgman Liberal Government will also provide up to $500,000 on a dollar for dollar basis to match any funds secured through Greening Australia’s fundraising efforts for their Science and Ecology Learning Centre.

We will not shy away from the challenges of climate change and environmental protection and degradation. Tasmania is known for its environmental assets and we will protect and promote them.

A Hodgman Liberal Government will:

• Establish a standalone environment and parks department
• Develop and implement a whole of government sustainability framework
• Plan for the effects of Climate Change
• Invest in a Private Land Conservation Fund
• Provide support for Greening Australia’s Science and Ecology Learning Centre
• Revitalise Tasmania’s Parks and Wildlife Service
• Finalise long overdue Heritage Legislation
• Investigate a Heritage ‘pass’
• Protect Tasmanian sporting club history