00:00To use taxpayers money to convert to Tasmania's largest farm into trees is one of the dumbest
00:05things I've seen in my 24 years in politics. The controversial sale of one of Tasmania's
00:11largest farming properties is set to face further scrutiny with the state government pushing for a
00:17parliamentary inquiry into Rushy Lagoon. The 21,745 hectare property near Cape Portland
00:25was sold for more than $100 million to the Tasmanian Natural Asset Trust managed by a
00:32UK-based forestry investment firm following federal approval. A Tas Farmers survey found
00:4099% of respondents opposed the sale. It's been a long campaign to try and get our voice heard and
00:46it obviously hasn't been heard. Under the new owners plans about half of the property would be
00:51used for softwood plantations, with the remainder continuing to support grazing.
00:56Using almost $70 million of taxpayer money to support a foreign company and lock out a local
01:03buyer simply does not pass the pub test. The Tasmanian government says the inquiry will
01:09examine the implications for agricultural land, food production, regional jobs and future farming opportunities.
01:21All the
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