Energy Minister’s blame-shifting backfires
Groom and Hydro now at odds over Basslink fault
Basslink boss hits back with stinging rebuke
Matthew Groom’s reckless and irresponsible attempts to shift blame for the energy crisis has badly backfired.
In an extraordinary turn of events Mr Groom hastily rejected Basslink Pty Ltd’s advice that the cause of the cable fault last year could not be determined without even reading the scientific reports.
What’s worse, he has pre-empted Hydro Tasmania’s own assessment of Basslink’s documentation.
“In attempting to prove that he is the smartest man in Tasmania, Matthew Groom has caused further damage to the commercial relationship with Basslink,” Mr Green said.
“The CEO of Basslink, Malcolm Eccles launched an extraordinary rebuke of the Minister this morning, labelling him ‘misinformed’ and ‘very irresponsible’.
“Mr Eccles also launched a thinly veiled attack on Matthew Groom’s ill-advised decision to decommission and sell the Tamar Valley Power Station.
“Mr Eccles said relying on a single asset for energy security was ‘risk management madness’.
“Mr Groom must explain why he rushed to make comment on this issue yesterday even before Hydro Tasmania had analysed the scientific reports into the cause of the cable failure.
“Hydro reaction to Basslink’s announcement has been sensible but the Minister is desperate to deflect blame for the energy crisis onto anyone but himself.
“In doing so he has risked causing irreparable damage to the relationship with Basslink Pty Ltd.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
