Labor fires up Lennon

FORMER Tasmanian premier Paul Lennon has been appointed as federal Labor’s envoy to help bushfire-affected areas recover.

Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Franklin MP Julie Collins wrote to Mr Lennon this week asking him to consult with the community and to produce a report to guide the federal response.

Mr Lennon will talk to community and business leaders to find ways to help the Huon Valley in particular recover from devastating bushfires that swept through the area in recent weeks. They were keen to establish as quickly as possible how the Federal Government could help — no matter who wins the upcoming federal election.

“As a first priority we are keen to get a full understand- ing of what is required to ensure the economic and social wellbeing of the local community,” they wrote.

“To this end we are seeking for you to act as our envoy to consult closely with the Huon Valley community to expeditiously identify opportunities to provide support and assistance. We appreciate the need for someone to appropriately dedicate themselves to this task, to ensure our response helps out the community as soon as possible.”

Mr Shorten visited Huonville earlier this month to speak to those affected by the fires.

In his letter to Mr Lennon, he said the former premier was ideally suited for the role.

“With your deep connection to the Huon Valley as a former Tasmanian premier and local member for Franklin, together with your well-respected experience across industry and businesses in the valley, particularly in forestry and tourism, we believe you are uniquely placed to take on this role.”

Mr Lennon said he was honoured to take on the voluntary position.

“I’ll get stuck into it almost immediately,” he said. “I want to see these communities, when they’re in need, supported.

“I’m just pleased to be able to provide some support to Bill Shorten and Julie Collins to ensure federal Labor has the best level of information available to provide an adequate response to the recovery.”

Mr Lennon, who was the driving force behind the Southwood and Tahune Airwalk developments, said he wanted to see his report result in real and tangible support to the region — particularly given the upcoming federal election campaign.

“What tends to happen in federal electoral campaigns is that the marginal seats get all the focus and areas which aren’t likely to contribute to the outcome tend to get bypassed.”

Anyone wishing to contact Mr Lennon can do so through Ms Collins’ electorate office.

Mr Lennon was the member for Franklin between 1990 to 2008 and the premier of Tasmania between March 2004 and May 2008.

The State Government has appointed Michael Stevens as its bushfire recovery co-ordinator.