Tarkine bid lost as track debate grows

A MOTION for the Senate to pressure the Federal Government to reject Tasmania’s push to reopen closed tracks in the Tarkine has been lost, as a local MP tells conservationists to “butt out” of the process.

It also appears the push to reopen the area between Sandy Cape and the Pieman River to recreational vehicles has angered members of the new Aboriginal Heritage Council, with four members resigning.

The State Government has applied to Canberra to reopen three of 15 tracks closed to 4WDs and quad bikes by the former Labor government in 2012.

In the Senate yesterday, the motion put up by Greens senator Nick McKim for the Senate to urge the Commonwealth to refuse the application was lost.

Greens senators and independents Derryn Hinch and Lucy Gichuhi voted in favour of the motion. All other Tasmanian senators, including Jacqui Lambie, voted against it.

“These are globally significant areas that need to be protected against hooning — both legal and illegal,” Senator McKim said after the vote.

“This is a slap in the face to Tasmania’s Aboriginal community.”

Tasmanian Labor senator Anne Urquhart said Labor could not support it because it sought to play one group of regional Tasmanians off against those living in urban areas.

“If the Greens were serious about protecting and managing the area, the motion would have outlined the need for all parties to work together in a co-operative way and for the state and federal Liberal governments to properly resource that management,” Senator Urquart said.

Former senator Bob Brown took a plane full of guests into the Arthur-Pieman Conservation Area yesterday, much to the ire of Braddon Liberal MHA Joan Rylah who told him to “butt out” of the debate.

Mrs Rylah yesterday said well-managed access to the Arthur Pieman Conservation Area could significantly reduce the incidence of unauthorised use and vandalism.

“More users means more observers, especially the passionate people who care deeply for the area,” Mrs Rylah said.

“We will not give up — we believe in the right of all Tasmanians to have recreational access to the Arthur-Pieman in a way that ensures the proper protection of its natural and cultural heritage values.”

Premier Will Hodgman confirmed that four members of the Aboriginal Heritage Council had resigned but said the resignations were received before to the Government announced it had gone to Canberra in regard to the coastal tracks.

“It appears that the primary concern of outgoing members related to the State Government’s new, more inclusive eligibility policy,” Mr Hodgman said.

But Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said Aboriginal community leader and heritage expert Rocky Sainty had accused the Premier, in a statement, of playing “underhanded politics”.

“This is clearly about politics and the Liberals trying to hold their four seats in Braddon,” she said.