michaelferguson.com

David Bartlett has seen the light.  Maybe someone other than him is capable of an original thought!

At Budget Estimates last month, I played a game of cat and mouse with our Premier regarding what I regard as a flawed model to rollout fibre-optic around Tasmania. The Premier’s model which asked required people to read, understand and return documentation (ie “opt-in”) has resulted in less than half of the eligible homes and businesses to get the fibre dropped to their premises, at no cost to themselves. …

I welcome the announcement from Sharp Airlines that it is taking over Airlines of Tasmania’s routes from 1st September 2010. Sharp’s plans to increase services to and from Flinders Island, and introduce a Melbourne route on Sundays, means the Flinders Island community will be better serviced. It also means more tourists can experience the rugged beauty of the Furneaux Group islands. …

A Hodgman Liberal Government will provide the real change Flinders Island needs with up to $6.4 million to fix shipping, improve port facilities, further develop renewable energy options and importantly, assist the island to further develop and market the Flinders Island brand.

Labor has failed the Flinders Island community over almost 12 years in government. Most recently, the debacle surrounding the Flinders Island shipping service highlights Labor’s ineptitude and lack of interest in the people of Flinders Island. …