Gutwein misses the target, needs to talk to federal colleagues

Yesterday the Treasurer and Minister for Local Government lashed out at Tasmania’s councils rather criticising his Federal liberal colleagues, or facing up to reality and common sense in the long saga of water and sewerage upgrades.
Mr Gutwein seems more interested in beating his chest at councils who have already shown their commitment to water and sewerage repair rather than commit to a process involving funding from Local, State and Federal Governments.
Before last election TasWater made it very clear that it wanted to move forward on upgrading our ailing sewerage and water infrastructure. Federal Labor said at that time that it was time to make a start.
Infrastructure Australia has independently assessed the project as a priority, but where is the Federal Government response?
The State Liberal Government is not listening and thinks that this project is not a priority for Tasmanians, and is unwilling to lobby the Federal Government for this vital funding.
The programs that delivered this vital water and sewage funding have been savaged by the Abbott/Turnbull Liberal Government.
Labor can see the benefit this infrastructure will deliver to Tasmania and is why the Labor team sought and received a commitment from Federal Labor to provide $75 million for the Launceston Sewerage Improvement Plan.
The Turnbull Government must use City Deals for Launceston and Hobart to deliver new water and sewerage infrastructure.
A commitment to improve the water security, supply and water usage was a central part of the only City Deal signed to date in Townsville.
Anything less than significant new funding commitment as part of upcoming City Deals will be another failure from Tasmania’s Federal Liberals and will condemn Tasmanian ratepayers to higher rates and water and sewerage bills for decades.
ROSS HART MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR BASS