Labor and Dean Winter today showed they are not just out of their depth on energy policy and the benefits of Marinus link, but they are completely out of step with their Federal Labor colleagues.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Guy Barnett, said that the Rockliff Liberal Government has consistently said that Marinus Link will boost energy security and reduce prices, but the deal must be in Tasmania’s best interests.
“The Rockliff Liberal Government has landed a historic deal that is good for Tasmania, good for energy security, good for jobs, good for the economy and good for the environment.
“Unfortunately, Dean Winter and Tasmanian Labor want to kill Marinus Link purely for political expediency and opportunism. They know that their price cap won’t work and will cost jobs and kill renewable energy investment.
“I provided a comprehensive update to the House today on Marinus Link, North West Transmission Development and Battery of the Nation projects, as I committed in the last parliamentary session.
“Today, Labor have shown again they are more interested in politics and talking down major projects that will benefit Tasmania than hearing about its details.
“Mr Winter needs to get on the telephone to Labor Federal Energy Minister Chris Bowen, who was this morning glowing in his assessment of the benefits of Marinus Link and his negotiations with the Rockliff Liberal Government.
In Minister Bowen’s words: “Because we believe in the project, we believe in its value, we believe in all the modelling shows that it is a good project, both for Tasmania and the mainland.”
“Our Government is building Tasmania with an exciting renewables future – state Labor are just blockers, taking every opportunity to talk down our great State.
“We will not be deterred from fighting for the very best deal for all Tasmanians because electricity prices will always be lower under a Rockliff Liberal Government.
“The bottom line is that Marinus Link will be good for Tasmania and result in cheaper power prices and better energy security.”
Minister Barnett appealed to Tasmanian Labor to join their Federal Labor colleagues and the Victorian Labor Government and support this inter-generational project that will benefit Tasmanians for many decades.
