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Category: Electricity Energy and Utilities / States and Territories

Tasmanian Energy Minister faces second no-confidence motion

Thursday, 10 Mar 2016 10:22:01 | Rosemary Bolger

The Greens accused Mr Groom of prioritising holiday plans over the energy crisis. (ABC News)

Tasmanian Energy Minister Matthew Groom is the target of the second no-confidence motion in the first week of State Parliament.

The Greens moved the motion after criticising Mr Groom's performance, suggesting, "Everything you touch turns to dust" and accusing him of prioritising holiday plans over addressing the unfolding energy crisis in the days after Basslink failed in December.

Greens leader Cassy O'Connor was not impressed with his ministerial statement outlining the Government's plans to deal with the ongoing crisis, including using diesel and gas-fired power.

Once Basslink is fixed, Ms O'Connor said the state would have to import coal-fired power from Victoria heavily until Hydro storages recover from record lows.

"Through his inaction and incapacity to articulate a renewable energy future for Tasmania, Mr Groom has the fossil fuel sector absolutely cheering," Ms O'Connor told Parliament.

Earlier, Premier Will Hodgman expressed confidence in his Minister.

He also denied the Government had tried to shield the Minister from scrutiny by making other announcements to distract from the energy issue.

The motion has again disrupted the Parliament's schedule and will push the Human Services Minister's announcement about a major revamp of child protection services back until next week.

On Tuesday, the first Question Time of the year and debate about other matters was delayed for more than five hours after the State Opposition moved a no confidence motion in the Speaker Elise Archer.

Minister cannot give guarantee on prices: Green

Today the Opposition raised concerns running costly diesel generators and the Tamar Valley Power Station to supply the state's electricity will force power prices up.

Hydro Tasmania is already spending $44 million shipping in 200 diesel generators which will cost up to $22 million a month to run while the Basslink power cable remains out of action.

That is on top of the cost of running the gas-fired Tamar Valley Power Station.

Opposition Leader Bryan Green again grilled Mr Groom, focusing on a potential increase to power bills.

"The question being asked around every Tasmanian kitchen table right now is how the massive cost of the energy crisis will affect households," Mr Green said.

The Energy Minister told Parliament the cost of the Government's contingency plans would be absorbed by Hydro Tasmania, but stopped short of guaranteeing power prices would not rise.

"In relation to electricity prices, I'd like to emphasise that we are dealing with an unprecedented energy supply situation and it's not possible to categorically say there will be no impact on any customer ever."

Mr Groom said a small number of customers whose power contracts were up for renegotiation may face increases, but residential customers would be protected by regulation.

Mr Groom faced a no-confidence motion last year after being forced to correct the record in Parliament about a potential property swap involving the University of Tasmania's art school.

AustraliaPlus


 

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