Premier Jeremy Rockliff owes it to Tasmanians to spell out the full cost of Marinus Link and explain whether this and other major projects are facing the axe.
Treasurer Michael Ferguson wrote to the Prime Minister while Mr Rockliff was on leave, outlining concerns about the current cost estimate for Marinus Link, and admitting that both the North West Transmission Development and the Battery of the Nation project have also experienced significant “cost escalation”.
Mr Ferguson also said Marinus Link was “not able to be effectively managed within the fiscal capacity of the Tasmanian Budget”.
The minority Liberal government has caused this uncertainty through its own budget mismanagement, which has plunged Tasmania into record debt – heading towards $5.6 billion and rising to more than $30 billion by 2035.
And just nine months after signing a deal to build Marinus, this government is now walking away from its own deal.
Mr Rockliff refused to tell Parliament this morning how much these projects will cost Tasmanians and whether other major projects are facing the axe because of the Liberals’ economic incompetence.
It is now clear he is seeking an Australian Government bailout – again – just nine months after he signed a deal.
The Liberals have made a complete mess of energy policy, letting prices go up by 22.5 per cent in just two years, then walking away from Marinus after spending 10 years and $100 million talking about it, while presiding over a self-described power supply “challenge”.
Tasmanians deserve a government they can trust on energy – and a government that can build the state’s economy, not tear it down.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables
