Well, it is bad news for Tasmanians who love the World Heritage area that Daniel Hackett is not backing off. Anyway, I note that the current lease has 11 days left on it before it expires.
Statements you made about the lease over Halls Island yesterday appear to be based on out-of-date advice. Here is the ASIC notice ordering the company Wild Drake Pty Ltd is wound up: a liquidator has been appointed.
This is a historic day for lutruwita/Tasmania’s wild places. The fight over Lake Malbena has gone on for years, been dragged through the courts, and seen massive community backlash against heli-tourism development plans in the Wilderness World Heritage Area.
Minister, you are fully aware that next week at the Estimates table in both places you will be asked, particularly by the Greens, about your response to Wild Drake's likely winding up and the fate of this lease, which has caused so much angst and anger amongst bushwalkers, fishers and other recreational users of the TWWHA.
The lease that Wild Drake has over Halls Island expires in 12 days. You just indicated that there was a possibility that as minister you might extend the lease. Which entity would you extend it with, given that Wild Drake has now wound up as a company?
In the other place when we asked you about the lease over Halls Island, you indicated that while Drake's lease remains effective until the 30 September 2024, can you confirm that it is not your intention for Parks or government to renew that lease?
Minister, as a matter of principle, do you believe an insolvent business should hold a lease, be the owner of a lease over a property inside public lands such as the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area?
Leaseholder Wild Drake Proprietary Limited has shut up shop and is the subject of wind up proceedings. Your responsibility as minister is to enforce the conditions of the lease, which clearly states that you have the power to terminate the lease in the case of insolvency or if the business ceases to operate. These are clauses 19(1)(g) and (f). Both of these things are true.
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.
In signing over the lease, Reg's daughter also stipulated that no other structures could be built and that only a few one‑way flights for conservation purposes could be undertaken.