Today's visit by Peter Gutwein and Elise Archer to Westbury has done nothing to reduce distress in that community over the proposed location of the northern maximum security prison.
Labor Member for Lyons Jen Butler said the Premier should have used his visit to announce that government will not proceed with its plans to build a prison at Westbury.
"Instead he's paid lip service to consultation, telling media in a hastily convened press conference that Westbury remains the government's preferred site.
"That's in stark contrast to his comments just weeks ago that it's not 'Westbury or bust' - words that gave this community some hope the government will see sense and walk away from Westbury as a site for the prison."
Ms Butler said the government has been progressing the project by stealth, quietly undertaking geotechnical work on the proposed prison site.
"At the same time, they use sloppy market research tactics in an attempt to prove there's support for a prison at Westbury.
"Make no mistake, this community is ready for a fight, and will take the government on in every forum available to put an end to their ill-conceived plan.
"It's time for Peter Gutwein to instruct Elise Archer to cut her losses, release the shortlist of potential sites, and start over with a genuine consultation process with the Tasmanian community."
Jen Butler MP – Labor Member for Lyons
