Jobs anger at Mac Point Antarctic hub

KINGSTON florist Sally Rogers does not want to see the Australian Antarctic Division moved out of her area to Macquarie Point.

“We need jobs in the area after losing Vodafone not long ago and the Southern Outlet is already busy enough without hundreds of extra people having to travel into Hobart for work,” she said.

Ms Rogers was pleased to see the Senate back a motion yesterday that called on the Federal Government to rule out moving the Australian Antarctic Division from Kingston.

A motion moved by Labor Senator Catryna Bilyk and seconded by ALP colleague Carol Brown was passed yesterday.

“Now the Federal Government needs to take notice of the motion and act on it,” Ms Rogers said.

Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said he had recently confirmed to Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass that the AAD was secure in Kingston.

“I invite Labor to stop their faux concern which they know is causing unnecessary concern,’’ Senator Abetz said.

“We moved the AAD to Kingston, we remain committed to the division remaining there and are committed to growing the Antarctic presence in Tasmania with the exciting development at Mac Point.”

However, a senate select committee report recommended the Federal Government examine options for the co-location of relevant institutions in the proposed Macquarie Point Antarctic Precinct. It suggested the possible relocation of CSIRO, CCAMLR, the Tasmanian Polar Network, part of the Bureau of Meteorology, and components of the Australian Antarctic Division.

Ms Rogers, who has operat- ed the Kingston Florist for 12 years, says to take one of the largest employers away would damage business in the area.

“We get a fair amount of business from AAD staff who pop out in their lunch break to get flowers to send to people or who ring up and ask for flowers to be sent to people,” she said.

“It is not just us but the whole of the retail sector in Kingston who would get some sort of work from the AAD.”

Senator Bilyk said that she had received a lot of feedback via her office in Kingston.

“Retailers in the area, shop and cafe owners, are telling me that spending by the local workforce helps to keep their businesses going,” she said.

“To have 300 jobs sent to the Hobart CBD would be a huge economic blow to the area.”

Franklin MP Julie Collins said Labor would fight against any proposal to move the headquarters away from the Kingborough community.

“It’s time for the Turnbull Government to make the same commitment and rule out moving the AAD headquarters,” she said.

The Mercury also approached Environment Minister Josh Frydenberg for comment.