Andrew Wadsley
The effect of Basslink on the Tasmanian economy, just like the Tamar pulp mill, was predictable using analysis and, dare I say it, science. It’s usually considered impolite to point out one’s successes, but both of my two RPDC submissions on Basslink and the pulp mill have been shown to be correct (the former on the Hydro Tasmania shortfall of $70m/year as confirmed recently by Treasurer Michael Aird, the other on dioxin errors and contamination as confirmed in the Chief Scientist’s report), notwithstanding the protestations and hubris of the government and project proponents at the time. There was no magic in these calculations, it’s the sort of thing we should expect Treasury and DPIW to do as a matter or course. Given that the Treasury Secretary, was on the Hydro Board at the time of the Basslink approval fiasco, and is still at the helm of Treasury today as we embark on the pulp mill fiasco (for that is what it surely will be), there does not appear to be any voice within the Tasmanian Public Service that has the capacity, independence or competence to advise Government and/or the Legislature of the future impact of their breathtakingly stupid decisions. What a frightening prospect for Tasmania.
