Comments in State Parliament today by Will Hodgman regarding Tasmania's looming bushfire season are shameful and he will be judged for them by the Tasmanian community.
Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management Jen Butler said questions by Labor on Tasmania's bushfire preparedness seek to raise legitimate concerns about resourcing of the Tasmanian Fire Service.
"Mark Shelton was unable to provide a coherent response to these questions and was clearly rattled," Ms Butler said.
"When the questions were redirected to Will Hodgman, rather than providing answers and leadership, he resorted to a shameful slur:
"Labor …are taking the opportunity to undermine not only confidence in our communities, who are watching with horror – like the rest of us - terrible scenes interstate, and fearing for the worst here in Tasmania. And it is this opposition that are wishing for it."
Will Hodgman, 13 November 2019
"Will Hodgman today resorted to smear and gutter politics, instead of answering legitimate questions about the recent bushfires at Scamander and Lachlan."
Ms Butler said Will Hodgman's slur follows Prime Minister Scott Morrison urging politicians not to make unhelpful comments in the midst of a bushfire emergency affecting three states.
"Scott Morrison demanded an end to political bickering, but Will Hodgman has ignored his Liberal Prime Minister.
"It's not the first time he's let his temper get the better of him in Parliament and Tasmanians deserve better than this schoolboy aggression.
"It's an appalling display of poor leadership on an issue of the highest importance to Tasmanians."
Jen Butler
Shadow Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Management
