Beaches can’t become ‘toilets for investors’
FORMER Tasmanian of the Year Scott Rankin has launched his election campaign in Braddon, saying he will not let the state’s beaches become a “toilet for foreign investors” if he is successful at the polls.
Mr Rankin, who is standing as an independent with The Local Party, said he was passionate about the urgency for best practice environmental stewardship of Tasmania’s land and water.
“If I am elected, I will not allow Braddon’s beaches to become a toilet for foreign investors,” Mr Rankin said.
“However, I will support innovation and sustainable practices in agriculture, and farmers in the North-West who are implementing innovative and sustainable practices, adding value to our natural resources.”
Tasmanian fish farmers have their eye on the waters off Burnie and Circular Head for future salmon pens.
Mr Rankin said he does not support fish farming in waters off the North-West but would back a transformation of the industry, to onshore and “free of cruelty”.
He said there was no reason the electorate of Braddon could not be a global leader in ecological stewardship, handin-hand with Aboriginal people.
“Here in Braddon we live in one of the most beautiful places in the country, with the best air, soil and environment, and the potential for health, lifestyle and wellbeing,” he said.
“This is a watershed election. We can’t afford anymore short-term thinking for political gain, disguised as economic management. It is mismanagement.
“We need to invest in our community’s future, not the future of distant shareholders.
“Young people are our future, and we are stewarding the community they will inherit. We need an immediate commitment to a reduction in emissions to zero by 2035, we need to back the innovation economy, investing in jobs with a future, rather than in jobs being phased out.”
Mr Rankin does not support the proposed wind farms in Stanley and on Robbins Island.
“Community action in Braddon in the past has helped to protect Tasmania’s environmental future, and we can continue this strong tradition of leadership to help secure our kids’ futures, beyond short-term economic thinking, driven by political lobbying, benefiting the few at the expense of the many,” he said.