Launceston-based Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson makes the following comment on the Malcolm Turnbull visit to Launceston today.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “There was more money invested in Tasmania in the stage-management of a press event than there was in actual funding announcements for the Tasmanian community.

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, says that last night’s Federal Budget is an admission of failure by the Liberals to deliver for Tasmania's economy.

“First the Government wound up their $6.5 million employment incentive aimed at attracting 2000 jobs; it ending up employing just 160 people.

“The Cadbury’s $15 million grant was a farce from beginning to end. A cent of the money has been yet to be spent despite the Government’s term effectively being over.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson comments on the Greens delivering $3 million in federal funding to set up the Launceston Macquarie House Innovation Hub, and the welcomes news that the Tasmanian government and the UTAS are committing funding and resources to operating innovation hubs in Tasmania.

“The Greens are excited the state government and UTAS are contributing funds and resources to help operate new innovation hubs in Tasmania.

It is genuinely a privilege to represent you in our national parliament, and I am proud and grateful to have this opportunity. Sometimes you feel your work is never done in this job, but as we head into an election year in 2016 it is worth reflecting, just for a moment, on what our parliament would be like without the heart and hard work of the Greens.

Laws Passed

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague has found that the arrest and detention of Greenpeace’s Arctic Sunrise crew, including Tasmanian Colin Russell, for attempting to scale a drilling platform in the Arctic, was illegal. The court has ordered that the Netherlands, who brought the case, should be paid compensation.

Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, said, “This ruling is unequivocal: the arrest of Australian Colin Russell and the entire Arctic 30 was illegal.

Nick McKim has been sworn in this morning as the Australian Greens' new Senator for Tasmania, replacing former leader Christine Milne.

"I'm honoured and excited to have been sworn in today as the Greens' new Senator for Tasmania," said Senator McKim.

"I become a Senator at a tough time for our country, with a dysfunctional government that is governing for itself and not for the Australian people, but a really exciting time for the Greens.

Australian Greens Senator for Tasmania, Peter Whish-Wilson, enthusiastically welcomes the pre-selection of Nick McKim for the impending Senate vacancy made by the imminent retirement of Senator Christine Milne.

Senator Whish-Wilson said, “The Greens members have made a superb choice in pre-selecting Nick McKim to partner with me in representing Tasmania in the Senate.

“Nick is one of the most accomplished and experienced politicians to be pre-selected for a Senate position in our party’s history.

Peter Whish-Wilson, Greens Senator for Tasmania, provides the following comments on the Liberals’ use of a House of Representative inquiry to persecute groups advocating for environmental protections. The government-controlled House of Representatives Committee on the Environment is currently inquiring, at the Environment Minister’s request, into the tax-deductibility status of environmental organisations with a hearing held in Hobart today.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson comments on the retirement of Tasmanian Greens Leader Kim Booth MP.

“Today the Greens and the Tasmanian people have seen another true and tireless champion of the environment and integrity in Government retire from parliamentary life.

“Today’s retirement is leadership by example, demonstrating to all parties and the Tasmanian people the need for political renewal and rejuvenation in our parliament.