 Treasurer stonewalls at every opportunity
 Commitment to provide answers to Inquiry ends in whitewash
 Gutwein hand-balls critical questions to Groom

After finally fronting the Parliamentary Inquiry into Tasmania’s energy crisis, Treasurer Peter Gutwein has today gone to astounding lengths to dodge questions and keep Tasmanians in the dark.

Labor Leader Bryan Green said the Treasurer was today given every opportunity to provide the missing piece of the energy crisis puzzle by releasing crucial advice he received from Treasury over the Hodgman Liberal Government’s proposed sale of the combined cycle gas turbine at the Tamar Valley Power Station – but had once again failed.

“The Liberal Government set up this Parliamentary Inquiry so very important questions could be answered but he has made a mockery of the process by stonewalling at every turn,” Mr Green said.

“The crucial issue is what advice the Treasurer and his colleague Energy Minister Matthew Groom received around their proposed sale of the Tamar Valley CCGT which is Tasmania’s only insurance policy against an energy crisis like we have seen this year.

“Mr Gutwein refused to release the advice until he had a chance to go away, read it again and make a decision.

“What the Treasurer has done today is add yet another layer of confusion to this government’s strategy in the lead-up to the energy crisis and its handling of the crisis which ultimately resulted in Mr Gutwein and Mr Groom spending $60 million on diesel generation to produce a fraction of the energy the power station produces each day.

“He also went to considerable lengths to distance himself from his bungling colleague Mr Groom by claiming questions specifically about the proposed CCGT sale should be directed to him.

“Mr Gutwein is still refusing to provide a clear picture around their plans to sell off this asset and he is still refusing to provide truth around this critical issue.

“The government is desperate to keep this advice buried because it will clearly show they knowingly sacrificed Tasmania’s energy security in pursuit of higher dividends from Hydro Tasmania.”
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader