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Premier’s moves on TasWater backfire

Tasmanian Labor
  • Regulator’s comments about TasWater cause for concern
  • Blame lies with Peter Gutwein
  • Projects stalled, cloud over financial viability
  • Tasmania’s
    economic regulator has put the government on notice over TasWater’s stalled
    capital works program.

    Shadow
    Treasurer David O’Byrne said despite a huge injection of cash from Peter
    Gutwein, critical water and sewerage upgrades are not progressing.

    “Peter
    Gutwein waged war with TasWater for two years before doing a total backflip and
    handing over a bucket of Tasmanian taxpayers cash, supposedly intended to fast
    track badly-needed capital works – a program that’s now in tatters.

    “Setting up
    the Capital Delivery Office was meant to speed things up, but the regulator
    says it’s instead – a complaint echoed by the state’s civil construction industry.

    “Now we
    hear the impact of COVID-19 has cast a cloud over TasWater’s overall financial
    position, putting the capital investment program deeper into a hole.

    “Labor
    warned Peter Gutwein at the time that his plan would end badly; unfortunately
    that’s what we are now seeing.

    “It’s no
    wonder he flick passed the problem to his leadership rival and struggling
    infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson.

    “Meanwhile, critical infrastructure is failing and Tasmanians are suffering because of it. The Liberals need to explain their plan to get the capital works program back on track.”

    David O’Byrne

    Shadow Treasurer

    /Public Release. View in full .