Hodgman must step in and finish Groom’s unfinished business

 Premier needs to resolve long-running gas pipeline dispute
 Hodgman cannot allow unresolved issues left behind by resigning Minister to continue
The resignation of Cabinet Minister Matthew Groom leaves Premier Will Hodgman with no option but to step in and resolve unfinished business across several portfolios, most importantly Tasmania’s long-running gas crisis.
Shadow Treasurer Scott Bacon said the continuing uncertainty about a supply agreement between the Tasmanian Gas Pipeline and Hydro while the state was without an Energy Minister should be the Premier’s primary concern.
“There are vital unresolved issues when it comes to gas in Tasmania one of which of course is the long-running dispute between the gas pipeline and Hydro Tasmania and that needs to be resolved by the government as quickly as possible,” Mr Bacon said.
“The government’s own Energy Supply Taskforce recommended that an agreement should be put in place by June and that timeline has well and truly blown out.
“Given that Matthew Groom has resigned it’s now incumbent on the Premier to step into those negotiations and resolve them because we know how important it is, not just for our major industrials but also smaller gas users across Tasmania who employ thousands of Tasmanians.
“Who is in control of critical decisions around energy when we no longer have an Energy Minister?
“A supply agreement needs to be reached by the end of this year and without an Energy Minister you have to question who now is in charge – and total responsibility should be with the Premier.
“Tasmanian business deserve more than continued uncertainty, they need guaranteed supply.”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Treasurer