Minister Barnett must release secret power station letter
Chance for the new Minister to show he’s more transparent than the Treasurer
Liberals have gone to extraordinary lengths to keep the document hidden
Fledgling Energy Minister Guy Barnett should make his first point of business releasing the letter sent to his predecessor from the Treasurer relating to the sale of the Tamar Valley Power Station.
Shadow Energy Minister Scott Bacon said if Mr Barnett is going win the trust of the public he needs to come clean with the secret letter.
“The letter is a key energy policy document and must be released,” Mr Bacon said.
“A new minister gives the Government a golden opportunity to finally be upfront with the Tasmanian public about its plans to sell the power station and the related advice from Treasury.
“Guy Barnett paints himself as an honest broker, well this is his chance to show Tasmanians what he’s made of.
“If he doesn’t release the unredacted letter, he falls into the same dishonest category as the Treasurer who defied the wishes of the parliament to keep the document hidden.
“Peter Gutwein went to the extraordinary lengths of refusing to comply with a summons from Public Accounts Committee Chairman Ivan Dean.
“This is Guy Barnett’s first big test as Energy Minister. Will he examine his conscience and do the right thing?”
Scott Bacon MP Shadow Minister for Energy
