Hypocrisy Powers Anti-Basslink Propaganda - David Llewellyn, MHA - Tasmanian Government Media Releases

Hypocrisy Powers Anti-Basslink Propaganda -


Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, used today’s Hydro GBE hearing to once and for all put to bed the nonsense being peddled by the Greens and some sections of the media about Basslink.
“The Hyperbole and hypocrisy about Basslink is staggering and I will once again lay the facts on the table.
“In the face of the usual efforts to obstruct, delay and denigrate major projects in Tasmania, this Government facilitated the delivery of two massive infrastructure projects: Basslink and the Natural Gas pipeline.
“We know, following 10 consecutive years of below average rainfall and this year’s severe drought, that had we not done so Tasmania would currently be in dire straights.
“Without Basslink and gas, Tasmania would now be facing the threat of prolonged power rationing.”
Mr Llewellyn said Basslink and the conversion of Bell Bay to gas have saved the Tasmanian economy many, many millions of dollars.
“More importantly, these projects have allowed industry to invest with confidence in our energy security.
Mr Llewellyn said he was confident that Hydro had acted prudently when it shielded the Basslink project from significant risk through hedging for the next 25 years.
“None of the reports on Sunday were new or particularly well investigated as all this information was available in the annual reports.
“The constant attacks on Basslink through the Hydro are nothing more than a cowardly stealth attack on the government.
“We should not allow the Greens and some sections of the media’s obsession with conflict and conspiracy to slur the standing of an organisation in which all Tasmanians have a stake and can be proud.”
Mr Llewellyn also said a lot of the attacks on the Hydro have been based on, at best, poor reporting, at worst a hidden agenda.
“In November last year, the Mercury newspaper carried a report with the subheading “Tasmania's independent Auditor-General Mike Blake has warned that Hydro Tasmania is perilously close to losing control of its finances.”
“Mr Blake has done no such thing and I absolutely reject any suggestion that his remarks are open to that interpretation.
“The Mercury’s story was a gross and irresponsible misrepresentation of the Auditor General and is the basis for a number of incorrect assumptions about the Hydro since.
“I am bewildered and deeply disappointed by the irrational hatred of the Hydro demonstrated by sections of the media.
“But don’t believe me, I urge Tasmanians who might be concerned by these attacks to read the Auditor General’s report and Hydro’s annual reports for themselves.
“Basslink and the Hydro have saved Tasmania quite literally from economic ruin and it is about time that it is recognised.”