Acting Premier Jeremy Rockliff has urged the Greens to stop attacks which he says are damaging Tasmania’s relationship with China.
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In state parliament on Wednesday Greens leader Cassy O’Connor asked Mr Rockliff if he could confirm that no premier in the past 30 years had been away from parliament for a week.
Premier Will Hodgman is on a trade mission to Asia.
“Do you agree his decision to prioritise cosying up to the Chinese Government is both unjustified and disrespectful to the people of Tasmania who expect us to be in here working on their behalf?” Ms O’Connor asked.
Mr Rockliff said Mr Hodgman was doing a very good job promoting a number of businesses in China. “We are proud of the work he is doing,” he said.
Greens Franklin MP Rosalie Woodruff asked Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein if he was concerned by accusations expressed by Hobart City Council alderman that the general manager's roll was “being rorted to stack an election outcome.”
Mr Gutwein described the Greens’ attacks as “bizarre”.
“In question time today the Greens launched a series of bizarre attacks on trade with our largest trading partner, China, and then broadened their attack to international students the majority of which are Chinese students,” he said.
“Their ranting saw both Cassy O’Connor and Rosy Woodruff booted from Parliament.
“Today’s appalling performance shows the Greens are not serious about seeing Tasmanians in work.”
Ms O’Connor said Mr Gutwein should “can the abuse and answer the legitimate questions we asked.”
“Unfortunately, we couldn’t ask the Premier these questions – he’s still on his extended trip to China,” she said.
“We believe no Premier in the past 30 years years has ever missed Parliament for a full week before, certainly never in order to cosy up to an authoritarian surveillance state which has embarked on an aggressive global expansion campaign that includes interests in Tasmania.”
The Greens later moved a motion to have the Premier provide any MOUs signed with China.
Ms O’Connor said Mr Hodgman was being feted by a government that did not respect international laws or human rights.