The state government says the Federal Government's decison to reject heritage listing for almost all of the Tarkine area gives the mining industry much-needed certainty, but the Greens have vowed to continue their campaign.
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Premier Lara Giddings was joined by Tasmanian Minerals Council chief executive officer Terry Long as she welcomed the Federal Government's decision to only list a stretch of coastline in recognition of special indigenous values.
``It will have a minimal impact on this area but a huge impact in terms of jobs and economic growth for this state,'' Ms Giddings said. ``Any arguments that Tasmania is closed for business are now dead in the water.''
She hoped today's announcement would give Venture Minerals the confidence to go ahead with its Mt Lindsay mine which would create about 1000 jobs.
Acting Tasmanian Greens Leader Tim Morris declared the fight was far from over, although he acknowled the chances of success were even worse under a Liberal-led government.
``After the Liberal government, they'll be some other government. We've been campaigning for 30 years on the protection of the Tarkine, if need be we'll campaign for another 50 years.''
Mr Morris said the campaign had been strengthened by the Australian Heritage Council's assessment which found the Tarkine was worthy of national heritage listing based on its natural values.
He said Environment Minister Tony Burke's motivations for ignoring the council's findings were clear.
``It's a political decision there's no doubt about that in order to try and save Sid Sidebottom's seat for Labor.''
