Embarrassing performance from Infrastructure Minister
Hidding contradicted by TT-Line chair over Spirit replacements
$80 million raided to create dodgy surplus
Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding’s embarrassing and misleading performance in this morning’s TT-Line scrutiny hearing has confirmed the Government’s $80 million dividend raid is a sham.
Labor Leader Bryan Green said the Minister was directly contradicted by the TT-Line chair.
“Rene Hidding made a fool of himself,” Mr Green said.
“In trying to justify the $80 million dividend raid, he falsely suggested the previous government had told TT-Line that it needed to entirely fund the replacement of the vessels.
“The Minister was directly contradicted by TT-Line chair Mike Grainger who couldn’t recall any direction of that type.
“The fact is Rene Hidding misled the committee to try and justify why the Government raided $80 million from TT-Line to create a dodgy surplus.
“Without the $80 million, the Treasurer’s surplus evaporates.
“First the Liberals tried to force a $75 million dividend out of Hydro and plunged the state into an energy crisis. When that failed they raided TT-Line.
“Rene Hidding couldn’t even say where in the budget the $80 million was going to sit.
“It’s been a sham from the start and the Minister’s performance today cemented it.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
