FOR MEDIA JULY 31, 1983
The Tasmanian Premier, Mr Gray, is being politically duplicitous
in his reaction to*-the Federal Government's decision to stop
funding for the Crotty Road construction.
The road was to have been the prime access to the
Franklin-below-Gordon Dam.
With construction of the Dam stopped, the Crotty Road is an
expensive thoroughfare to nowhere.
Only last Monday, July 25, at a meeting wi th me, requested by
Mr Gray, the Premier volunteered that the Tasmanian Government was
not in favor of the road being further extended to Kelly Basin.
There was general agreement that until the management plan for the
wilderness area was agreed to by both governments there was little
point in continuing with building a road which could eventually
be irrelevant.
Mr Gray pointed out to me that the State's announced intention to
proceed with the construction of the King River hydro scheme would
mean the partial flooding of Crotty Road.
In effect, Mr Gray agrees with the'Federal Government's decision that
work on the Crotty Road should cease. His anger is contrived.
It ill-becomes Mr Gray to accuse the Federal Government of showing
" la callous contempt for the workers". 7_ -r -7,77 J'
2
Prior to the High Court decision it was Mr c ray who delayed
Government-to-Government meetings proposed by me as a means of
identifying alternative employment schemes to ensure a speedy 0 0
transfer of the Dam workforce.
The Federal Government's proposal for such meetings was made
shortly after its election, but because of Mr Gray's attitude
the first meeting was not held until late June.
In its dealing with Mr Gray, the Labor Government has adopted a
bipartisan attitude of goodwill and has had the welfare of
all the people of Tasmania uppermost in its mind.
It is to be hoped that Mr Gray's ill1-considered statements over
the Crotty Road decision are not a manifestation of his attitude
to the necessary future negotiations.
The cessation of Federal funding for the Crotty Road will mean
some disruption and uncertainty for the people employed on the
project, and that is a matter for regret.
But so that Mr Gray may be able to understand it, let me repeat:
The Federal Government has agreed to extend for another month
arrangements for income maintenance for HEC employees and for
financial assistance to contractors, including assistance for
contractors' employees.
In the meantime, the Commonwealth will continue as quickly as possible
in co-operation with State authorities, to identify altern ative
employment projects.
Provided Mr Gray is prepared to co-operate, I am sure the
present problems will soon be overcome.