“Tin Man” Fails To Help Whale Watching Industry

Media Release.

Shadow Environment Minister Jackie Trad says local Member for Hervey Bay “Tin-Man” Ted Sorensen has proved how badly his own LNP government ignores regional communities.

“Mr Sorensen has pointed out that his own government is failing to protect the Hervey Bay whale watching industry from proposed law changes that will lift a ban on commercial whale watching in state waters outside of marine parks,” Ms Trad said.

“The changes could spell disaster for the Hervey Bay region which is now synonymous with whale watching as they will allow operators in other areas to run whale watching tours.

“I understand Mr Sorensen has unsuccessfully attempted to alert his Cabinet colleagues to how much of an impact these changes will have on the Hervey Bay region, but clearly no-one has listened to him,.

“Mr Sorensen has been so unsuccessful in lobbying his Cabinet colleagues that he has had to write a submission against his own government’s legislation.

“The Newman Government drafted these changes without consulting the Hervey Bay community or even Mr Sorensen so obviously they have no intention of listening to their concerns now.

“Again we see Mr Sorensen playing catch-up on a local issue he is grappling to get on top of.

“The leadership team of the Premier, Deputy Premier and Treasurer continue to fail to listen to the concerns of their backbench which results in the disgruntlement we currently see on the LNP backbench.

“This is another example of the Newman Government not caring about regional Queensland,” she said.