Former Greens leader Bob Brown hires lobbyist to promote Tarkine track

Bob Brown has hired a lobbyist to win federal funding for a $20m bushwalking trail through Tasmania’s Tarkine region.

Former federal Greens leader Bob Brown in Hobart. Picture: Sam Rosewarne

Bob Brown has hired a lobbyist to win federal funding for a $20 million bushwalking trail through Tasmania’s Tarkine region, and initial reaction in Canberra has ­reportedly been positive.

Registered lobbyist Dan Cass confirmed he was being paid by the Bob Brown Foundation to push the proposal for an “iconic” multi-day walk to rival The Overland Track.

“The Trans Tarkine Track proposal gets support across the political aisle on its merits, but it is still crucial to have someone paid to walk the corridors and get it before the government, opposition and crossbench,” Mr Cass said.

“The environment sometimes gets forgotten in politics so it is vital that the … foundation knows how to use all the tools available in the democratic process. It is gratifying to be opening doors in Canberra for the foundation.”

Dr Brown defended the use of a lobbyist, saying lobbying was ­effective and helped politicians get across detail quickly.

“Lobbying of politicians works,” Dr Brown said. “That’s why the mining and the logging and the 4WD-vehicle organisations have lobbying permanently in Canberra.”

Dr Brown and outdoor clothing company Patagonia have commissioned PwC to develop a detailed business case for the project. The former federal Greens leader said he was heartened that neither of the major parties had rejected the project, and urged them to consider the economic benefits for the region’s marginal seat of Braddon.

“It is a superb proposal,” he said. “It can only win votes in Braddon, a very marginal seat, and beyond that the proposal would win votes right across the country from a whole lot of swing voters who are keen on the environment and being able to experience it.”

Mr Cass and a group of 15 northwest Tasmanian tourism entrepreneurs will hold a press conference at Parliament House in Canberra today to back the Trans Tarkine Track, arguing it would spread jobs and wealth to a region in need of both.

Among the group is former Tourism Australia managing ­director Ken Boundy, who runs several Tarkine tourism businesses. “Scott Morrison understands tourism and should see the economic value the Trans Tarkine Track will generate in Tasmania and the value it will add to brand Australia,” Mr Boundy said.

Mr Cass, who also works on ­energy policy and regulation for the Australia Institute, said the response in Canberra was positive. “I’ve had good conversations with the government, opposition and crossbench.’’ Mr Cass said.

The Tarkine is home to one of the largest tracts of temperate rainforest in the southern hemisphere, as well as remote, wild coastline and rich Aboriginal ­archaeological sites.

However, it is not a national park and Dr Brown sees the track project as an alternative to logging or mining in the Tarkine.

Mr Cass is being assisted in Canberra by Greg Irons, director of Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary, near Hobart, and of Tarkine Trails, an existing walking business in the northwest region.