Labor push to stop criticism over Tarkine road

Travel News

Sunday July 26 9:45 AM

The Tasmanian Government's controversial Tarkine tourist road has caused a stir at the Labor Party's annual state conference.

The Government's $23-million plan to build a loop road through the Tarkine wilderness has divided the north-west community.

But the road itself was not the issue at yesterday's Labor Party conference.

A motion condemned the Liberals and the Greens for opposing the project.

The Federal MP for Denison, Duncan Kerr, pushed an amendment to remove that criticism.

"We don't want to have this issue treated as a political football," said Mr Kerr.

But his colleague in Canberra, Senator Kerry O'Brien, said the criticism is warranted.

"The Liberals are opposing this road because they can see political mileage in the opposition," said Mr O'Brien.

Mr Kerr's amendment was passed.

Another controversial motion, on the State Government's abolition of its Environment Department, was one of several abandoned altogether.