Cadbury money now officially Liberal Party slush fund

The Independent Member for Denison, Andrew Wilkie, commented on the Government’s betrayal of the Glenorchy community by the way in which it has redirected the $16m Cadbury money into a Liberal Party slush fund to try and save Andrew Nikolic, Brett Whiteley and Eric Hutchinson.

“That the $48m Tasmanian Jobs and Investment Fund, based around the $16m money meant for Cadbury, seems to be at least largely directed at the electorates of Bass, Braddon and Lyons is an appalling corruption of good governance,” Mr Wilkie said.

“That money was always meant for the Glenorchy area on account of the pressing need for economic stimulus in the area, and that need remains just as much today as it did before the 2013 election.

“That the money has now been turned into a political slush fund is a breathtaking example of politicians putting political self-interest above the public interest and is to be condemned.

“I call on the Government to detail what if any of this money will still be spent in Glenorchy, or to explain this shocking betrayal of the Glenorchy community.

“No wonder there is an unprecedented level of dismay, even anger, about politics and politicians right now.”