Peter Gutwein is trying to rewrite history over the purchase of the Tamar Valley Power Station to mask his own fiscal incompetence.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said the Liberal Opposition wholeheartedly supported the purchase of the asset in 2008.
“Peter Gutwein’s claim that the purchase of the Tamar Valley Power Station is to blame for the financial woes of Hydro Tasmania beggars belief,” Mr Green said.
“The TVPS was bought in the middle of a serious drought to avoid the very real threat of black outs and brown outs. The issue was thoroughly debated and supported by the then Liberal Opposition.”
At the time Mr Gutwein told Parliament: “At the end of the day it appears that this could be a very reasonable deal for the State to get itself in, to buy for $100 million a partially-constructed station that has had around $240 million spent on it so far. Obviously it appears on the surface to be a very good deal.
He went on to say: “It appears to me that we could end up in a very positive situation where a significant generating asset that the State owns, after buying it at a knock-down fire-sale price, might provide some opportunities in regard to pricing in future years.”
Mr Green said Tasmanians would see through Peter Gutwein’s rank hypocrisy.
“Mr Gutwein continues to blame anybody but himself for the economic challenges he faces as Treasurer and congratulates no one but himself for positive economic news.
“The reality is that Mr Gutwein’s irresponsible spending spree during the election campaign has resulted in real pressure on our economy. The Government is eroding public services and stripping more and more money from our GBE’s to pay for election pork barrelling that we cannot afford.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
