Ms BADGER question to MINISTER for PARKS and ENVIRONMENT, Mr DUIGAN
The holder of the exclusive private lease on Halls Island, Wild Drake, has had its public credit rating updated and it has been subject to wind‑up court proceedings. The updated credit report, available via the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), states that Wild Drake has a 100 per cent chance of default in the next 12 months. The Halls Island lease conditions state that the operator cannot continue as custodian if they become insolvent. Under lease clause 19 (1)(d), the minister has the power to terminate the agreement if the operator or the company becomes an externally administered body corporate.
Wild Drake has failed to pay its debts and is now advertised as permanently closed. When will you adhere to the Halls Island lease conditions, take the lease back from Wild Drake and return this World Heritage island to all Tasmanians?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for Lyons for her question and her ongoing interest in this matter. We, as a government, are committed to delivering the tourism expressions of interest process and the important role it plays in facilitating sensitive and appropriate tourism projects within Tasmania’s unique parks and reserves. We want people to be able to responsibly and sustainably access and enjoy Tasmania’s world‑class parks and reserves.
Regarding Wild Drake, I am aware that an environmental organisation lodged proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia in relation to legal costs to be paid by Wild Drake. Any recent judgments and proceedings are a matter for the proponent and given this involves legal matters I will not be making any further comment on those proceedings. I am advised by the department that all lease and licence payments are up to date as of today and the lease remains effective at this time, up until 30 September 2024.
Dr Woodruff – They are insolvent – which bit of that do you not understand?
The SPEAKER – Sorry, the Leader of the Greens should not have conversations with the minister as he returns to his seat.
