unsustainable
The Premier Peter Gutwein has admitted using Tasmania Government
Business Enterprises as an ATM to prop up the budget.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said dividends
ripped from Hydro Tasmania are clearly unsustainable – a concern already raised
by Hydro’s Board but ignored by the Government.
“Peter Gutwein proudly announced in Parliament
today that if a GBE has cash, the Government will take it regardless of the
impact that might have on the delivery of services.
“The demand for an additional $70 million crisis
dividend – above and beyond the 90 per cent dividend requirement – will mean
Hydro Tasmania will have to borrow more money in order to prop up the
Government’s budget.
“The result of that debt could be job cuts,
deferred maintenance, delayed infrastructure investment and higher wholesale
energy prices.
“Government businesses should not be put in a
position where they have to borrow to mask Peter Gutwein’s budget incompetence.
“The primary function of the Hydro is to ‘keep the
lights on’. Once they have done that, then they should return a
dividend. The Premier has these things the wrong way around.
“Peter Gutwein is driving Tasmania into more than $1 billion in debt and the situation would be far worse if it wasn’t for this GBE cash grab. Tasmanians deserve better than this and so do our Government Business Enterprises. Our message is clear to the Liberals: Hands Off the Hydro.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Energy Minister
