2024-03-18
Dr Darren Briggs | Lead Candidate for Braddon
The Greens have today released a plan to make big corporations pay their fair share, so we can fix the mess that a decade of government underinvestment has created in North West Tasmania.
“Big corporations operating in Tassie are making enormous profits from the bounty of natural resources our state’s North West provides, but are failing monumentally to pay their fair share.
“The largely foreign-owned mining industry in Tassie exported $2.8 billion worth of our mineral products in the 12 months to May 2023, yet stumped up only $56.1 million in royalty payments that financial year. Clearly this is a dud deal for Tasmanians.
“In 2022, the gross value of Tassie’s salmon production was $1.1 billion, and yet despite exploiting a natural resource, and the significant cost to the environment and communities, the salmon industry paid next to no tax to the State.
“For too long successive governments have prioritised the profits of foreign-owned companies over Tasmanian communities.
“These big corporations get away with it because they donate tens of thousands of dollars to the Liberal and Labor parties, and have too much power over our democracy.
“North West Tasmanians are doing it especially tough, and are facing increased chronic and preventable illness, waiting longer for public and affordable housing, and suffering increased costs of living burdens across the board.
“Investing in our state’s most vulnerable and those doing it tough in regional and rural areas is an investment worth making. It’s time to end government handouts to toxic industries and instead invest in the services our communities really need.
“Instead of giving these industries a free ride, we should be making sure they pay their fair share. This will mean we have more funds to invest into long-term health solutions, fund more public and affordable housing, and reduce the cost of living by assisting with cheaper registration of cars and free public transportation, and providing additional tuition for kids struggling.
“We know the Liberals and Labor can’t be trusted to act on the things that matter – they’re too corrupted by big donors.
“That’s why we need more Greens in parliament to fight for the things that matter, because we are the only party that will push the big corporations to pay their fair share and ensure funds to boost public services that the North West of Tassie really needs.”