Hon. Michael POLLEY MP

Electorate: LYONS (WILMOT)

Inaugural speech: 8 June 1972

 

 

 

Having entered Parliament prior to the introduction of Hansard in 1979, no complete text of Mr Polley's inaugural speech is available. However, the following is the Mercury report of his inaugural speech.

'PLEA TO PRESERVE HISTORIC INNS

A plea for the retention of two of Tasmania's historic inns was made by the new Labour (sic) member for Wilmot (Mr Polley) in the House of Assembly yesterday.

He was seconding the Address-in-Reply.

In speaking on Tasmania's potential as a tourist State, he emphasised the extreme waste of one of its great tourist drawcards, the stately old inn at Westbury.

"For too many years now has this unique inn been without a licence to see liquor, and I voice the opinion of many thousands of Tasmanians and visitors to Tasmania when I say that this grand old building must be relicensed as soon as possible.

"It is these small interesting wayside inns that people love to visit," he said.

"FitzPatrick's Inn is part and parcel of Tasmanian history. The tourist value of this asset is not being used to its fullest advantage.

Mr Polley said that it was his intention to make representations to the Minister for Licensing (Mr Everett), and the Minister for Tourism (Mr Miller) to have the matter investigated with a view to relicensing the inn.

Mr Polley said that he had also read with some concern that the historic Bay View Hotel at Stanley was to lose its licence.

He said he also would ask the Minister to have a close look at this before it was too late.

"The loss of this attraction would be a severe blow to the tourist potential of Circular Head," he added.

Mr Polley said that Tasmania had often been called the Switzerland of the South, and spoke of what it had to offer the "noise-worn, rat-raced tourists who want to get away from it all."

"There could be holiday camps and ramblings through national parks with trained guides.

"Our Winter sports at Ben Lomond, Cradle Mt and Lake Fenton have never been explored properly," he said.

"You have only to set up some more reserves, like Maria Island, to bring overseas visitors flocking to our doorstep.

"Millions of dollars could be picked up from these Europe-tired tourists from America and Asia seeking new interests".'

Mercury, Thursday 8 June 1972