The Australian Greens Leader, Senator Christine Milne, introduced a motion to the Senate condemning the Abbott government considerations of modifying the boundaries of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area. The motion reads as follows: 

Will Hodgman has declared war on people who care about our forests but it's an approach that has been tried and failed and further risks the future of the forest industry, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"Twenty years ago Liberal Leader Ray Groom tried to silence dissent through draconian anti-protest laws and he failed. Will Hodgman is set to go down the same path with this flawed approach," Senator Milne said.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson criticised the Abbott Government for taking the razor to jobs in Tasmania's vital science and research sector on the same day that Greens Education and Skills Minister Nick McKim announced $16M in funding to help train the Tasmanian scientists of the future.

"Now that the election is over we can see what the Abbott 'jobs plan' really means for Tasmania - sending the state backwards and derailing our transition to a diversified and resilient economy," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson today announced that the Greens' costed election platform would deliver Tasmania more than 2,000 new jobs and over $700 million in investment.

"This election it's the Greens who have the policies to preserve the beauty of our island home, drive the transition to a sustainable, knowledge-based economy and focus on a caring society," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson at the launch of the Greens' Tasmanian 2013 Federal Campaign.

Today Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson responded to more jobs promises from Tony Abbott by calling on him to come clean on what the Coalition plans really mean for Tasmania.

"He's apparently here to talk about 'jobs, jobs, jobs' but what he is covering up are Coalition plans that would be a post-election wrecking ball to jobs and wealth in Tasmania," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

"How many Tasmanian public servants will lose their jobs under an Abbott government?

Federal Labor's announcement today that Tasmanian regional development money will be decoupled from forest conservation shows they can't be trusted on the environment, Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said today.

"Throughout this process we've said money for the industry or regions should be tied to conservation outcomes so the rug couldn't be pulled out at the last minute," Senator Milne said.

"Today, we see federal Labor's final betrayal in their promise to ensure long-term forest conservation in Tasmania.

Senator Peter Whish-Wilson, Australian Greens spokesperson for small business, said Tony Abbott's offensive statements in Launceston today exposed his lack of vision for Tasmanian small business, the engine room of our State economy.

"Tony Abbott claimed today he has a 'special focus' on the Tasmanian economy but what his statements really show is that he has no vision for the small business sector that is the backbone of this state," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Christine Milne joined a panel on ABC Saturday Extra to outline the Greens' vision for Tasmania's clean green and clever economic future.

Tasmania has so many advantages that the Greens have worked hard to develop, from the innovation economy with scientific research hubs and the NBN, through tourism and ecosystem services with wilderness protection, creativity and the arts, growing healthy food & much more.

Australian Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said we are simply getting more of the same today from Labor and if Prime Minister Rudd had any integrity he should come clean to Tasmanians about the risks to the State economy from Labor policies on carbon pricing and University cuts.

"Jobs and vital revenues to our State from two of our key institutions - the University of Tasmania (UTAS) and Hydro Tasmania - are at risk under Kevin Rudd's policies," said Senator Peter Whish-Wilson.

Today Senator Peter Whish-Wilson responded to Tony Abbott's promises on jobs by calling on him to come clean on what the Coalition plans really mean for Tasmania.

"He's apparently here to talk about jobs but what he is covering up is a Coalition jobs and wealth destruction plan.

"How many Tasmanian public servants will lose their jobs under an Abbott government?

"If he scraps the Clean Energy Package, how will he replace the $70m per annum boost from Hydro Tasmania used to help pay for healthcare, education and policing in this state?