Brian Mitchell (Lyons, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Most Australians will remember the Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre in my electorate from its days as a working mine. It is the site where, on Anzac Day 10 years ago, Larry Knight tragically lost his life in a rockfall and where Brant Webb and Todd Russell were rescued after two weeks trapped underground. It has become an iconic Australian site, synonymous with courage, mateship and sacrifice.

The mine has long since ended its days as a working operation, but it has been reborn as a heritage tourism centre, attracting 40,000 people a year to the West Tamar, many of whom go on to sample wineries and other attractions. Unfortunately, the mine had to close in September due to subsidence, and the repair bill is $1.2 million. The Tasmanian state government has come to the party. It is funding $600,000 and the federal government is being asked to fund the rest.

I was very disappointed that the Prime Minister did not take the opportunity when he visited Tasmania on the weekend to announce funding for this very important project. The Beaconsfield Mine and Heritage Centre is an iconic site. It needs to reopen. We need to get this site open again to drive tourism in this region. I really hope the wheels are only turning slowly and that the funding is on its way. If not, that really stands as an indictment of this government's priorities.