Today in Question Time, Primary Industries and Water Minister Jo Palmer was asked whether she would support impacted farmers across the North and North-West of the state whose properties will be adversely affected by the transmission lines associated with Project Marinus.
Rather than answer the question, the Minister detailed the energy projects occurring in the Dorset region on the other side of Tasmania.
The Minister's answer demonstrated a complete lack of concern for those who helped the state produce a $2 billion farmgate value last year.
This is a Minister who is clearly out of her depth and not across her portfolio responsibilities.
I have been speaking to those farmers who will be impacted by the proposed upgrade to infrastructure on the Palmerston to Sheffield transmission line and they are worried their concerns are not being heard.
The Minister has failed to see the massive financial impact this could have on our farmers.
It will disrupt their farming operations, threaten the biosecurity of their properties and put their livelihoods, and that of future generations, at risk.
It is time the Minister stood up for the state's primary producers.
Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Primary Industries and Water
