Gutwein walks the tightrope

FRESHLY- MINTED Environment Minister Peter Gutwein says he is “very pleased” to have been charged with responsibility for what he described as Tasmania’s most important asset.

And the Bass MHA argued there were people “cheering” the fact the Environment Minister was also Treasurer — despite the Greens labelling it the worst outcome of the reshuffle.

“It’s a bit like putting the big bad wolf in charge of a henhouse full of already-terrified chickens,” Greens leader Cassy O’Connor said on Sunday.

Speaking from a new orange-bellied parrot captive breeding facility yesterday, his first public appearance as Environment Minister, Mr Gutwein said he had not heard any criticism of his appointment to the Environment and Parks portfolios.

“There are some that are cheering the fact that the Environment Minister has a very close relationship with the Treasurer,” Mr Gutwein said.

“I haven’t heard those other comments, but at the end of the day I’ll manage my conflict as I have with any other portfolio I’ve dealt with.”

The Wilderness Society acting state campaign manager Tom Allen said his organisation had yesterday written to Mr Gutwein to request a meeting.

“Sustainable, economic development is the go, but the test for him is really can he embrace that sweet spot [between conservation and development]. I don’t think he can or he will, but it’d be great if he did,” Mr Allen said.

Mr Gutwein said: “The key thing is to ensure that we can have balance.

“We need to ensure we can protect what is special and what is important, but at the same time we need to ensure that we can provide balance and ensure we can provide broader benefits to the Tasmanian community.”