Labor has taken hypocrisy to a new level

Discussions regarding the potential sale of the stranded Triabunna Wharf commenced under the previous Labor-Green Government and the former shareholder Minister David O’Byrne was informed of this.

These discussions commenced approximately 12 months ago.

The fact is Tasports made a commercial decision to consider selling the Triabunna Wharf after it was rendered inoperable when the Labor-Green Government stood by and cheered on as the industry lost the Triabunna Mill.

As a result of the decision by the Labor-Green Government, the wharf is no longer an asset rather it is a distinct cash draining liability.

Tasports chair Dr Dan Norton made this abundantly clear at yesterday’s hearing, as reported in today’s media.

Government Business Enterprises and State Owned Companies regularly divest or rearrange assets as part of their day to day operations.

An example of this is when Hydro, under the former Labor-Green Government, sold down its equity share in the Woolnorth Wind Farm. The former government also sold Crown Land and schools after they were closed.

Labor and the Greens got into bed with environmentalists to sell off the Triabunna Mill and as a result land locked what was once a strategic port asset. Labor and the Greens effectively rendered the Triabunna Wharf inoperable.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure