Rebecca White MP | Labor Member for Lyons
Labor has called for the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the independent inquiry into the COVID-19 outbreak in the state’s North West to be widened to include the whole state.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the current scope of the inquiry is too limited to provide adequate scrutiny of Tasmania’s preparedness for a pandemic and the social, economic and health response to COVID-19.
“As we have stated in our submission on the ToR for the North West inquiry, Labor supports the examination of the health response in the region,” Ms White said.
“But, while the vast majority of COVID-19 cases were contained to the North West, there were confirmed cases across the state, with the resulting restrictions touching on all parts of our community and economy.
“The scope of the review must be expanded to include the four major hospitals – the Royal Hobart, the Launceston General, the North West Regional and the Mersey Community hospitals, along with the three major regions, to ensure all aspects of preparedness and response can be reviewed.
“Labor maintains that a Royal Commission is needed to examine the impact on our health system, businesses and the broader community across the entire state so we can learn all the lessons from this crisis and prepare for any future pandemic.
“A Royal Commission would also have the appropriate powers and protections to gather evidence, hear from witnesses and make authoritative recommendations to Government to inform the long recovery process.
“It is vital that health workers feel safe to provide evidence that clearly sets out what happened in the lead up to, and during, the North West outbreak.
“I again urge the Premier to grant immunity to public servants to participate in the inquiry so that important learnings are not lost.
“The families of Tasmania’s 13 victims of COVID-19 deserve a full, frank and thorough inquiry into Tasmania’s response. With the pandemic still raging overseas and on Australian shores, it is critical that we have robust findings to ensure that we learn as much as we can to prevent such an outbreak happening again in the future.”
Labor has called on the government to listen to community concerns about a proposed upgrade for a notoriously dangerous stretch of road in southern Tasmania.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the latest proposal to re-design the Huon Highway/Sandfly Road intersection does little to address significant safety concerns.
“The Huon community has waited too long for this dangerous intersection to receive the upgrade it so badly needs, but it’s important that any upgrade provides genuine solutions to the safety risk,” Ms White said.
“It’s disappointing that the government’s current proposal has been put forward as a take-it-or-leave-it proposition, despite inviting feedback on it.
“The purpose of a genuine consultation period should be to gain insights from the people who will be using this road every day. Instead, the government has made it clear they will walk away from safety upgrades unless their current proposal is accepted.
“Concerns being expressed by community members are legitimately calling out shortcomings in the design that mean there may be no real safety gain.”
Ms White said regional Tasmania has missed out on investment in essential services and infrastructure for too long.
“We need to invest sufficient funds in roads across the state, particularly those like the Huon Highway that provide essential routes to markets.
“That’s why Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package calls investment to progress infrastructure projects of regional significance as well as major intergenerational infrastructure.
“I urge the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council to seriously consider regional communities, and help us make the most of the opportunity we have in COVID recovery to rebuild a better and fairer Tasmania.”
“This situation risks undoing all of the good work of the Tasmanian community to eradicate the virus from our state and we are calling on the Premier to address this as a matter of urgency.”
Tighter border restrictions to protect Tasmanians from COVID imported from Victoria are welcome.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the situation in Victoria remains concerning and it’s the right move to take tougher steps.
“Tasmanians have anxiously watched the situation unfolding in Victoria. With our own outbreak in the North West still fresh in people’s minds, we know we can’t afford to import COVID when we have been free of the disease for nearly two months.
“There will still be movement across state borders, so it’s vital that the tougher measures are backed up with appropriate safeguards on the ground as people arrive in our state.
“Peter Gutwein has finally indicated that quarantine exemptions already granted for essential workers will be reviewed. However, the scope of that review remains unclear and we call on the Premier to provide more detail.
“Currently, people who have been granted essential worker status can enter the state and move around the community without having to be tested for COVID-19.
“All of these people are coming here from Victoria, either through Melbourne Airport or on the Spirits of Tasmania.
“This is a serious oversight that risks undoing all of the good work of the Tasmanian community to eradicate the virus from our state.
“Asking people to wear a mask and relying on their goodwill to do so is not an effective form of protection.
“The government must immediately require all essential workers coming into the state to demonstrate they are COVID-19 free before they are granted an exemption from quarantine.”
The State and Federal governments must commit to improving the health of the Tamar River estuary by fast tracking funding to upgrade Launceston’s outdated sewerage treatment plants.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said residents in Launceston and surrounding areas want action now.
“A $94.6 million state and federal government package was announced in 2018 to fund a number of initiatives to improve the Tamar.
“While catchment works have progressed well, we need faster action on addressing issues with the combined sewerage system,” Ms White said.
“Growth in this region has put pressure on sewerage infrastructure, and at times of heavy rain, raw sewage flows into the river.
“The Tamar River is a special place for many people. It is a gathering place for locals and tourists and provides many opportunities for recreational and sporting activities.
“That’s not compatible with failing sewerage infrastructure.
“The sewerage projects are a crucial part of plans to improve the health of the Tamar, and would reduce pathogen concentrations in the Launceston to Legana zone by around 35%.
“Money has been allocated to fix the problem, but no work has progressed. It’s time to fast track this work, to stimulate economic activity and create jobs, but also to ensure the long-term health of the Tamar River.
Premier Peter Gutwein must take urgent steps to address serious shortfalls in his government’s exemption process for essential workers.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said community concern is growing about workers being granted exemptions from quarantine, particularly in light of the worsening COVID-19 outbreak in Victoria.
“Currently, people who have been granted essential worker status can enter the state and move around the community without having to be tested for COVID-19,” Ms White said.
“All of these people are coming here from Victoria, either through Melbourne Airport or on the Spirits of Tasmania.
“This is a serious oversight that risks undoing all of the good work of the Tasmanian community to eradicate the virus from our state.
“The government must immediately require all essential workers coming into the state to demonstrate they are COVID-19 free before they are granted an exemption from quarantine.
“Recent steps to require workers coming in from lock down suburbs in Melbourne to wear masks while in Tasmania are grossly inadequate. We would question how this requirement is being enforced on worksites.
“It is our understanding that there are workers entering Tasmania under permits that are many weeks old. All permits that have been issued since the start of the Public Health Emergency should be renewed in light of the increased risk in Victoria.
“The government’s approach to granting exemptions for essential workers has been questionable at best. We cannot allow holes in this process to spark a second wave of the virus, which would be devastating for our community and our economy.”
Labor is calling on the government to fast-track finalisation of the North West Coastal Pathway, to trigger job creation and support business in post-COVID recovery.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said communities in Tasmania’s North West were hit harder for longer by COVID-19 and the region now needs significant targeted investment in local infrastructure projects.
“The outbreak in the North West and the associated extended lockdown period means the impacts have been deeper and will be felt for longer than in other parts of the state.
“Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package identifies the Coastal Pathway as a project of regional importance, that would deliver immediate and longer-term social and economic benefits,” Ms White said.
“The project would provide short-term construction jobs, and also long-term economic development opportunities in tourism and small business creation. It would also deliver improved health, liveability and transport outcomes for people in the North West.
“Local, State and Federal governments have committed to funding four sections of the pathway, but Labor is calling for additional investment to fast track completion of the entire pathway.”
Labor Member for Braddon Anita Dow said the Coastal Pathway has been slow to progress, despite having strong community support.
“The Cradle Coast Authority has identified the pathway as a project of regional importance, and included it in their Regional Investment Framework. And regional councils have backed the project with funding support, along with state and federal contributions.
“We’d like to see the state government work constructively with all local stakeholders to resolve significant delays to not only get the project back on track, but accelerate it. And the government needs to instruct TasRail to do the same.
“This project will provide an outstanding piece of community infrastructure and connect more than 85,000 residents between Wynyard and Latrobe.
“It would be devastating for the North West if this project falls victim to the government’s trademark infrastructure incompetence at a time when investment in the region is so desperately needed.
“Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package is designed to get Tasmanians back into jobs, help those hardest hit by the pandemic and create a better, fairer and more resilient economy and society.
“There’s an opportunity right now for all levels of government to take a coordinated, locally-guided approach to recovery by prioritising work on the Coastal Pathway, and it’s an opportunity that must not be missed.”
Small businesses in Tasmania continue to be ignored by the state government at a time when many are facing the bleakest time of their lives.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said Labor has been inundated by complaints from businesses that have failed to receive support despite suffering the impact of COVID-19 restrictions.
“Numerous businesses have contacted Labor describing a shambolic process, which has added stress at a time when they were already facing pain and uncertainty.
“Some businesses have missed out on crucial support, without which they may not survive, despite meeting all the eligibility criteria. We cannot have businesses going to the wall and the loss of more jobs.
“Tourism and hospitality have been among the industries hardest hit, with thousands of jobs on the line. Puddleduck Vineyard – a business in the Coal River Valley that relies heavily on tourism – applied for the small business hardship grant but received no support.
“Labor has called for the government to review this scheme, and Peter Gutwein promised that he would. But we are yet to see any follow through from the Premier and no demonstration that this government is comprehensively and equitably backing business.”
Shadow Minister for Energy David O’Byrne said other support schemes intended to help businesses have left many out in the cold.
“Power bill relief offered by the government does not cover many small businesses that operate in multi-tenanted premises. The Premier promised to review the scheme but these businesses are still hearing they are not eligible for relief.
“Clipaway Hairdressing wrote to Guy Barnett two months ago seeking help and got no response. After a belated commitment from the government to review the situation, the minister wrote to this business turning them down.
“We need to do all we can to support businesses in stress, and people who have lost their jobs or had their hours cut. They are suffering ongoing hardship due to the pandemic, and we need to make sure no region and no sector is left behind as we plan recovery.
“Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package is designed to get Tasmanians back into jobs, help those hardest hit by the pandemic and create a better, fairer and more resilient economy and society.”
“I urge the Premier to urgently consider the many ideas contained in Labor’s recovery package to support business and create jobs right across Tasmania."
Thousands of Tasmanians face the prospect of wage freezes after the Premier today wouldn’t rule it out in Parliament.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said Peter Gutwein’s razor gang is back, with workers in its sights.
“In Parliament today the Premer refused to rule out a wage freeze for the very workers we relied on to help us through the worst of the COVID-19 crisis.
“Tasmania’s health workers, police, cleaners, teachers and park rangers have looked after us and kept Tasmania going for the past few months and we owe them a great debt of gratitude.
“But despite the Premier’s praise for their crucial work during the pandemic, he is now considering freezing their wages.
“Only last year these workers finally won a pay rise that kept up with the cost of living, now the Premier is thinking about putting that on ice.
“As economists and even the Premier have noted, consumer confidence and spending are essential to lift the economy out of recession.
“That is the reason the State and Federal Governments have rolled out initiatives to put money in people’s pockets – hoping they will spend it and support jobs.
“The Liberals’ razor gang has no place in Tasmania’s COVID-19 recovery and I urge Peter Gutwein to look to other measures to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
A good place to start is Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package, which has been submitted to the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Council, and is designed to get people into jobs, help those hardest hit by the pandemic and create a better, fairer state for everyone.”
Tasmanian Labor is calling on the State Government to help fund the Hobart Showground Renewal Project and make it a reality.
Labor Leader Rebecca White said the project will create jobs as well as contributing to the state’s social recovery.
“Tasmania’s COVID-19 recovery requires an approach that considers all regions and all sectors of the economy,” Ms White said.
Labor’s COVID-19 Recovery Package, which has been submitted to the Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Council, is designed to get people into jobs, help those hardest hit by the pandemic and create a better, fairer state for everyone.
“One of the projects that we have put forward for consideration is the Hobart Showground Renewal Project, which is the result of funding provided by the government to produce a masterplan for the site.
“This exciting proposal presents a great opportunity to redevelop the site to provide more than 500 new homes, including affordable housing, community spaces, a new exhibition space and a sports field.
“The renewal project will create hundreds of jobs and help put a roof over the heads of more than 1,000 people.
“This is exactly the type of project we need to get people into jobs and make a valuable contribution to both our economic and social recovery.
“While the Premier described it as an exciting project in Parliament this morning, he failed to commit to help fund it.
“With this project now enjoying bipartisan support, I call on Peter Gutwein to commit to provide funds in the upcoming state budget to help make it a reality – and help Tasmania emerge from this crisis a better and fairer state.”
