Guy Barnett,Minister for Resources
The Tasmanian Government respects the right of every Tasmanian to express their views and protest lawfully and we are also committed to protecting Tasmanians' right to work.
Unfortunately on a regular basis, Tasmanians are being threatened and harassed for simply going to work.
As recently as yesterday and again today, the Bob Brown Foundation, the extremist radical protest arm of the Greens, invaded the work site of a mining company on the West Coast directly threatening the rights of Tasmanians working at Venture Minerals' Riley Creek operation.
This is exactly why our Government introduced legislation to ensure that we can all support our families by going to work and running local business in a safe manner free from threats and disruption.
Our Workplace Protection Bill, which complements legislation already passed in the Federal Parliament, where it received bi-partisan support, will deliver Tasmanian businesses, workers and their families protection against intentional trespass designed to deliberately impede business activity.
So what is Tasmanian Labor's position on protecting workers?
Surely the Tasmanian Labor party, like Labor parties in NSW, Queensland, South Australian and Western Australia, would back laws that protect workers from threats and intimidation?
Unfortunately, the Tasmanian Labor party has bucked the national consensus and voted against this Bill when in the lower house previously.
I say enough with the party politics - let's work together.
I acknowledge and applaud Labor's condemnation of the Bob Brown Foundation's recent radical protest action, and I call on Labor to re-think its opposition to our Bill.
