Hydro Tasmania paid out almost $2.4 million in the past year to already well-paid executives in an obscene waste under the Gutwein Liberal Government.
Shadow Energy Minister Dean Winter said four executives shared in the redundancy windfall at the same time the GBE pushed dozens of other employees on to the unemployment queue.
“It’s just disgraceful that these excessive amounts are being paid out to an elite group of executives just for exiting this organisation,” Mr Winter said.
“Under the Liberals’ watch, the excess is obscene and will disgust Tasmanians.
“I defy the responsible Minister Guy Barnett to front Tasmanians and explain how these payments can be justified, including to one individual who received a golden handshake of $965,000 as he walked out the door.
“I challenge Mr Barnett to justify how another former employee walked away with $669,000.
“At the same time as this government allows this, Tasmania’s housing wait list has reached an historic high and thousands are stuck on the Liberal Government’s waiting list for elective surgery and dental work.
“At the same time families are struggling with basic cost of living and Hydro’s annual report has been released on the same day we learn that Tasmanians pay the most overall on energy bills of any state.
“Mr Barnett needs to tell ordinary Tasmanians how these payouts are acceptable.
“And at the same time, Mr Barnett should be honest with Tasmanians about additional payouts.
“The government remains embroiled in a cover-up about the level of compensation handed to the immediate past Hydro CEO and has not released any detail about the reasons behind his departure or how much he received for leaving.”
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction
