A new Liberal senator has used her first speech to parliament to launch an attack on the Greens over efforts to block tourism and other industrial developments in Tasmania.
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Claire Chandler ruffled feathers in the minor party, with senators interjecting, prompting government minister Richard Colbeck to shout "shame" across the chamber.
While first speeches are usually free from political argy-bargy, a skirmish broke out after she zeroed in on Greens founder Bob Brown's opposition to a proposed wind farm in her home state.
"These champions of renewable energy are opposed to wind farms just like they were opposed to hydro-dams because there might be dollars and jobs in it for Tasmanians," she said.
"It seems that wherever there is opportunity and success in Tasmania the anti-everything brigade are quickly on the scene determined to stop progress at all costs."
She said vocal minorities tried to shut down progress and chase away investment when her home state started to succeed.
"We need more jobs but we have Green groups harassing tourism proponents who put forward plans for new developments and experiences," Senator Chandler said.
She said industries like forestry and aquaculture had been under attack from "hyper-vigilantism" of Labor and the Greens.
The former Young Liberal federal president also alleged Australian universities were shutting down debate.
"This progressive shutdown of academic freedom, at least to my mind, is at best not in the spirit and at worst in complete contravention of the Higher Education Support Act," she said.
She recalled a political science tutorial during her study in which a teacher was stunned at her opposition to unions, and a student dismissed her because she was a Liberal.
"Surely universities should encourage the consideration and debate of a range of views," Senator Chandler said.
The 29-year-old joined federal parliament after being elected at May's federal poll.
Australian Associated Press