Government will work with TasWater, rejects Labor’s calls to hand over a blank cheque

The Hodgman Liberal Government is working with TasWater to improve water and sewerage services in Tasmania, which are quite squarely the responsibility of local government.

We have consistently said that we believe that TasWater has the capacity to do more to fix the unacceptable problems in our water and sewerage infrastructure.

TasWater’s balance sheet is strong and can work harder. That was the whole reason that a large commercial entity was established in the first place.

The Government expects that TasWater will continue to maintain and invest in its assets to ensure that the planned and necessary outcomes in respect to the quality of services are delivered.

The Government’s door is open however and we are prepared to discuss any proposal made in good faith to bring forward projects that are of strategic benefit to the State.

We have also made it clear to local government that we are prepared to work with them and TasWater to secure Federal funding for key long term projects where this is appropriate.

The Government is committed to continuing to work with TasWater and local government to improve water and sewerage infrastructure and services.

Labor’s claim that we should simply hand TasWater a blank cheque and hope for the best is further evidence that you simply can’t trust Labor to manage a budget.
Peter Gutwein, Treasurer