Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson’s East Coast getaway has angered locals

Angry locals say a Tasmanian politician staying at his East Coast shack “sends the wrong message” to Tasmanians and is “beyond disappointing”.

Tasmanian Senator Peter Whish Wilson after a stormy surf on Tasmania's north coast.

A TASMANIAN politician staying at his East Coast shack has sparked anger among locals who say it “sends the wrong message”.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson said he been given the all clear from police on Saturday after self presenting to verify that staying at his Bicheno holiday home wasn't a breach of government-enforced protocols.

But Federal MP Lyons Brian Mitchell said by visiting his coastal residence, Mr Whish-Wilson had “disregarded pleas to stay home” by healthcare workers nationwide.

Greens Senator Peter Whish-Wilson at his Bicheno home photographed by a concerned local resident.

Mr Whish-Wilson said that apart from a parliamentary trip to Canberra last week, he had spent the past four weeks staying in the seaside town – arriving before Premier Peter Gutwein introduced a ban on Tasmanians visiting rural shacks.

A Bicheno local on Saturday told The Mercury Mr Whish-Wilson was seen near shops and beaches and not in self-quarantine.

Under federal legislation, senators and federal MPs are exempt from the recently-enforced 14-day isolation period for new arrivals to Tasmania.

“The police assessed my circumstances and have made it clear I am not currently in breach of the legislation and guidelines,” Mr Whish-Wilson said.

“I have fully complied with the stay at home directions and have been in my home in Bicheno for almost four weeks now with the exception of a brief visit to Canberra for parliament.

“I understand the fear and uncertainty in many Tasmanian communities at the moment – it’s important that we stay together as communities, support each other, follow the guidelines on staying home and staying safe during this time.”

Greens senator Peter Whish-Wilson is staying at his holiday home in Bicheno.

A Bicheno resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said community members were concerned about a number of “shackies” flouting the rules.

“I don’t understand why Mr Whish-Wilson is here when no other shackies are allowed to come,” she said.

“It’s seems a bit contradictory. The rules are there for everyone.”

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Another resident said the politician's Bicheno stay sent “the wrong message” in a town with an ageing population.

Mr Mitchell said the Greens Senator shouldn’t have returned to the coastal town following his parliamentary visit to Canberra, saying he should have instead returned to his Launceston residence.

Lyons MP Brian Mitchell says all Tasmanias, including politicians, should stay at their primary residence. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“To learn a Senator is staying at his shack when so many Tasmanians are doing the right thing is beyond disappointing,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Healthcare workers have been begging Tasmanians to stay home so their work on the frontline is not in vain – why on earth has Senator Whish-Wilson disregarded their pleas.

“The only acceptable outcome I would have thought would be if he’d stayed put in Bicheno for the entire four weeks and not travelled out of the area at all.”

A spokeswoman said Tasmania Police would not provide details relating to specific individuals.

“Police have undertaken a number of checks in response to reports of noncompliance, and where appropriate, are proceeding against those who are not complying,” she said.

“However, most people police have spoken to are doing the right thing.”

Since the beginning of the Easter break, 20 Tasmanians have been charged with failing to comply with a direction of the Director of Public Health.