The News Review:
- Tasmanian bee talks fail
- Tasmania considers voluntary euthanasia
- Tasmanian house building hits the wall
- Tasmania extends anti-GM ban
Tasmanian bee talks fail
ABC nline
President of the Tasmanian Beekeepers Association Julian Woolfhagen says the industry has wasted five years trying to get an agreement with Forestry Tasmania on long-term leases protection of leatherwood forests and an industry management plan. He says the association acceded to Forestry Tasmania’s request to negotiate and not air its disagreements in the media but that hasn’t been reciprocated. “It’s just a constant merry-go-round” he says. “They asked us to get off the front pages five years ago so we could come in and have meaningful dialogue.
Tasmania considers voluntary euthanasia
The Australian
It’s the second attempt since 1998 to decriminalise and regulate voluntary euthanasia for terminally ill people in Tasmania. Tasmanian Greens leader Nick McKim tabled the private members Bill today positioning it as a March state election issue. Labor and Liberal MPs have been allowed a conscience vote on the Bill which could start being debated as early as August. However the Dying with Dignity Bill 2009 is destined to be referred to a parliamentary committee of inquiry before a show of hands is required.
Related from Work-at-home-business-zone: Euthanasia veterinarians provide a peaceful death
Tasmanian house building hits the wall
Tasmania Examiner
4 per cent in the March quarter. But the Housing Industry Association says the stimulus package’s plan for 20000 community and residential buildings across the nation should give the next quarter’s figures a boost. Figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics showed Tasmania was the hardest hit and HIA Tasmania executive director Stuart Clues said the figures showed that Tasmania was not immune from the economic slowdown. “Up until the March quarter all the leading indicators in both housing approvals and lending have shown the Tasmanian market was faring better than national averages” Mr Clues said. “The construction industry in Tasmania is the second largest sector employing over 20000 Tasmanians and generating over $1. 3 billion to the local economy. “We anticipate the second quarter could deliver better news provided the State Government can work with industry to roll out the Federal Government’s plan for 20000 public and community housing dwellings.
Tasmania extends anti-GM ban
ABC nline
The ban includes a zero-tolerance standard for non-GM seed coming into the state. But Tasmanian canola growers say they’re now unable to find seed suppliers that guarantee their non-GM seed meets Tasmania’s strict zero tolerance standard on genetically modified material. Roberts Ltd agronomist Terry Horan says all states except Tasmania have a 0. 1 per cent allowance for GM material in planting seed and his company is urging the Tasmanian Government to fall in line.