Tassie senator touts progress

TASMANIA’S new Liberal Senator has taken aim at the “anti-everything brigade” and raised concerns about the erosion of personal freedoms.

Claire Chandler used her speech to outline the state’s improved economy, saying she hoped increased opportunities would help stem the tide of young Tasmanians leaving for the mainland.

However she took aim at those who opposed progress.

“As soon as Tasmania begins to do well in any industry, there are forces ... usually in the green left of politics, that move in to shut down progress and chase away investment. We need more jobs, but we have Green groups harassing tourism proponents who put forward plans for new development and experiences,” she said.

“We need more housing, but the local council in our capital city consistently refuses to approve new housing and accommodation projects on the basis of aesthetics.”

“It seems wherever there is opportunity and success in Tasmania the anti-everything brigade are quickly on the scene determined to stop progress at all costs.”

Senator Chandler also raised concerns about leftwing group-think in academia and the encroachment of government on freedom of expression. “Over the past decade we have seen example after example of personal freedoms and particularly free speech being stifled in this country,” she said.

“Everyday Australians want to be able to live their lives without anyone, and particularly not government, policing them in terms of what they think, say or believe.”