Liberals put nuclear over hydrogen

Tasmanian Labor
  • Liberals divided on energy policy
  • Liberal rank and file cast doubt on second interconnector
  • No mention of hydrogen while State Council motions back nuclear
  • The Liberal Party is deeply and hopelessly divided over energy policy.

    Shadow Minister for Energy, David O’Byrne, said motions for this weekend’s Liberal State Council revealed the membership was more interested in pursuing nuclear energy than maximising Tasmania’s renewable energy advantage.

    “There are multiple motions in support of nuclear energy, while the Sandy Bay Branch has called for the brakes to be put on the second Bass Strait interconnector amid concern the government has not yet explained who will pay for it,” Mr O’Byrne said.

    “Meanwhile there is absolutely no mention of green hydrogen which has the potential to create 500 new jobs.

    “It is clear the Liberals are hopelessly divided when it comes to energy.

    “The Liberal rank and file have sided with the coal-loving Federal Government and nuclear energy in an effective vote of no confidence against the energy policies of Will Hodgman and Guy Barnett.

    “The Southern Young Liberal Branch has even called out the party for failing to deliver on its 2018 election promise to exit the national electricity market and deliver the lowest regulated electricity prices in the country.

    “If the Liberals can’t even agree to their energy strategy internally, how can we have any confidence that they can secure opportunities like a hydrogen generation industry for Tasmania, which would create hundreds of jobs?”

    David O’Byrne MP

    Shadow Minister for Energy

    /Public Release. View in full here.