Energy Minister was warned by Treasury not to sell power station
Groom ignored advice and sacked workers
Government has no choice but to release advice
Energy Minister Matthew Groom has all but admitted he was explicitly warned by Treasury not to sell the Tamar Valley Power Station.
Under intense questioning on radio* this morning, the Minister repeatedly failed to dispute that he ignored Treasury advice and pushed ahead with the sale, going as far as sacking the power station’s employees.
“The net is tightening around Matthew Groom,” Labor Leader Bryan Green said.
“The Minister had multiple opportunities to dispute that the Treasury advice explicitly told him not to sell the Tamar Valley Power Station but failed.
“Matthew Groom now has no choice but to release the advice in question.
“The decision to decommission the power station and remove staff during a drought had enormous consequences for Tasmania.
“The advice the Minister received is critical to the energy crisis and must be made public.
“2013 advice from Treasury warned against selling the power station because an energy crisis was easy to visualise.
“Someone has to take responsibility for the decisions that led to the energy crisis.
“Matthew Groom was warned not to sell the power station by Treasury but chose to ignore the advice.”
*https://www.tasmaniatalks.com.au/the-show/9241-brian-carlton-vs-matthew-groom-round-2
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader
