If Government has nothing to hide advice should be made public
Tasmanians need to know if advice supports hostile takeover or not
Ratepayers deserve to have the full picture
The Hodgman Liberal Government must keep its assurance to Tasmanians and release its legal advice over its hostile takeover of TasWater.
Addressing the Local Government Association of Tasmanian annual conference today, Shadow Local Government Minister Madeleine Ogilvie said if the government had nothing to fear or nothing to hide it should act with transparency and release the advice and provide an explanation to all Tasmanians about its forced acquisition of council assets.
“Despite assurances that legal advice about the forced TasWater takeover has been sought and received, the Government has not released it,” Ms Ogilvie said.
“If the government’s legal advice supports the forced acquisition then the government should feel comfortable to release it.
“If it doesn’t support the takeover, then more is at stake.
“In either case ratepayers should be given all the information.
“Tasmanians want to know that what Mr Gutwein proposes is legal, fair, will improve water operations and will not increase water bills.
“The lack of clarity surrounding the draft bill released at the weekend could be easily resolved with the release of the Government’s legal advice and that would give ratepayers the full picture so informed choices can be made.
“Labor will be scrutinising the draft bill carefully and forming a view as to its effectiveness and impacts.
“We continue to be concerned that the Liberals plan will result in increased water bills for Tasmanian families and businesses and with a commitment by the Liberals to spend an extra $437 million, they need clear evidence that water bills will not go up as that debt is serviced.”
Madeleine Ogilvie MP Shadow Local Government and Planning Minister
