Sunday Tasmanian
Sunday 24/1/2010 Page: 4
PREMIER David Bartlett has continued his love affair with King Island, flying in, media in tow, for his third visit to the Bass Strait Island in 10 months. Declaring it "was good to be back", the campaigning Premier opened his bag of goodies. He re-announced $800,000 for the island's school, promised to rebuild the senior citizens club that was damaged by fire last year and reopened the Naracoopa Jetty, made safe by a $700,000 upgrade funded by the State Government. "This Labor Government is a government that generally cares about all areas of Tasmania, whether they be the Bass Strait Islands or regional areas of our community." Mr Bartlett said.
He used the trip to tell voters the Government's renewable energy board had recommended the Government commit $21 million to boost green energy on the Bass Strait Islands. The plan would involve Hydro building new solar, wind and biodiesel energy-generation facilities on the Islands to enhance their clean green images. Mr Bartlett said the Government would "consider" funding the plan in the coming weeks. "Tasmania has the strongest knowledge in wind and water energy anywhere in South-East Asia," he said. "Under this proposal, Tasmania will become a global leader, with the Bass Strait Islands the focal point." Mr Bartlett's past two trips to the North-West Island of 1600 people have involved the abattoir, which has stayed open because of a $12 million government loan to the operator, the world's biggest meat company, JBS Swift.
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