Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson criticised the Abbott Government for taking the razor to jobs in Tasmania's vital science and research sector on the same day that Greens Education and Skills Minister Nick McKim announced $16M in funding to help train the Tasmanian scientists of the future.

"Now that the election is over we can see what the Abbott 'jobs plan' really means for Tasmania - sending the state backwards and derailing our transition to a diversified and resilient economy," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said we are simply getting more of the same today from Labor and if Prime Minister Rudd had any integrity he should come clean to Tasmanians about the risks to the State economy from Labor policies on carbon pricing and University cuts.

"Jobs and vital revenues to our State from two of our key institutions - the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and Hydro Tasmania - are at risk under Kevin Rudd's policies," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

The recent announcement that Australia is one of 16 nations negotiating the Regional Economic Comprehensive Partnership raises fresh concerns for its impact on the Australian     economy, the Australian Greens stated today.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said this was another case of a lack of transparency around the negotiations and the absence of an examination of the potential impacts on our economy.

 Japan has made the strongest indication yet that it’s poised to join eleven other nations including Australia and the United States in negotiations over the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPPA).

The TPPA and the potential addition of Japan to negotiations could have significant ramifications for Tasmania, Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson stated today.

Wednesday, October 31 2012

Greens Call for Triple Bottom Line Approach to Free Trade Agreements.

 The Australian Greens do not believe the Malaysia Australia Free Trade Agreement should proceed because of the continuing reluctance of the Government to provide any analysis of the full social and economic impacts of free trade agreements, citing their dissenting report released today.