Revelations that Hydro Tasmania has re-hired 12 sacked workers at the Tamar Valley Power Station makes a mockery of Energy Minister Matthew Groom’s belligerent attitude towards the asset.
“What kind of short-sighted government sacks 12 specialist workers and then hires back precisely that number within the space of a few months?” Labor Leader Bryan Green said.
“It seems an absurd waste of taxpayers’ money to pay out redundancies – at a cost of some $750,000 – only to rehire workers through a recruitment agency.
“Ultimately, this is the responsibility of Matthew Groom and the buck stops with him.
“This exposes Minister Groom’s stunning short-sightedness and calls into question his consistent criticism of the Tamar Valley Power Station.
“The fact is, it may be cheaper to run the TVPS than to import power across Basslink, which has got to be better for households.
“Does Matthew Groom want power users to pay for his short sightedness through higher power prices?”
Tasmanian water storages are down to 26 per cent, and Hydro has revealed Basslink is importing at full capacity.
“These facts call into question the state’s energy security if dry conditions continue,” Mr Green said.
“It is alarming news for Tasmanian energy consumers, from households all the way through to our international major industrial businesses.
“Hydro has said that the Tamar Valley Power Station could provide a cheaper energy source into the future rather than more expensive power imported over Basslink.
“This clearly calls into question Matthew Groom’s pig-headed ambitions to sell the asset.
“Mr Groom is so hell-bent on playing politics with the Tamar Valley Power Station that he’s willing to risk supply.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
