[Greens-Media] Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry ICAC support - it should lead by example

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

CONGRATULATIONS TO TASMANIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY FOR
SUPPORTING ICAC-STYLE BODY - IT SHOULD LEAD BY EXAMPLE

Hobart 10 April 2008  -  The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(TCCI) is to be congratulated for recognising corruption has become a
serious problem in Tasmania that adversely impacts business confidence,
and our reputation interstate, Greens Senator Christine Milne said
today.

"As someone who has been raising these issues in local and national
arenas for more than a decade, it is a major step forward to hear the
State's peak business body give in-principle support to the
establishment of an ICAC-style body in Tasmania.  Such reform is long
overdue.

"Of course, on matters of probity, integrity and independence, the TCCI
should lead by example and support not only an ICAC but also full
political donation disclosure legislation.

"TCCI President, Michael Kent, has never explained the true nature of
'Tasmanians for a Better Future' - an organisation of which he was a
leading member and which influenced the outcome of the 2006 State
Election , but whose wider membership, motivation, and links to the
Lennon government and Gunns have never been revealed to the Tasmanian
people.

"Tasmanians will remember that this shadowy organisation surfaced in the
lead-up to, and during, the 2006 State Election claiming the economic
sky would fall in unless voters returned majority government.  It
evaporated once the objective was achieved on 18 March 2006,"  Senator
Milne said.

Senator Milne said to this day, its leading member, Mr Kent has not
explained:  

1.	Who were the members of 'Tasmanians for a Better Future'.
2.	How much it spent on the election and what were its funding
sources.
3.	Why it hid behind the Corporate Communications' PR Chief, Tony
Harrison.
4.	What were its connections with the Lennon Labor Government and
the extent to which its messaging and tactics were a collaborative
effort.
5.	The extent to which Gunns was involved in its creation and
funding.

"Given the Lennon government, TCCI and Gunns lock-step since the
election on the Gunns pulp mill, Tasmanians deserve answers now more
than ever.

"When the TCCI President comes clean about his involvement in, and
understanding of, 'Tasmanians for a Better Future', we will have made
some significant progress in cutting through the opaque, unhealthy
relationships between government and big business in Tasmania," Senator
Milne said.


Media contacts:   	Cassy O'Connor   03 6224 8899 or 0400 628 939