Labor has been clear that we support the University’s city move. We support the construction of 2,000 new homes and the funding that will unlock for a new $500 million science and technology facility for Hobart.
Jeremy Rockliff and the Liberals have already said they plan to block the whole project.
But the Greens’ position has been totally unclear, despite at the election they strongly supported stopping the Uni’s move. Do they stand by that position, or are they walking away from it?
We know Helen Burnet is a strong supporter of UTAS moving into the city – in fact she ran for Hobart City Council in 2022 . Just how divided are the Greens on this issue?
Do they stand with the Liberals and the NIMBYs who want to block 2,000 new homes for Tasmanians, thousands of construction jobs and apprenticeships and a $500 million STEM facility? How can they claim to want action on housing if they’re standing against one of the biggest housing projects in Tasmania’s history?
Or will they backflip on their shameful election policy and let Tasmania’s only university move into the 21st century, invest in new education opportunities for Tasmanian students, and deliver nearly 2,000 new homes on land that is currently sitting vacant and unused?
With legislation due to come to Parliament soon, the Greens need to make their stance clear when it comes to the future of UTAS.
Sarah Lovell MLC
Shadow Minister for Education & Early Years
