The Minister for Energy, David Llewellyn, today said Alinta’s announcement to the Australian Stock Exchange is great news for Tasmania.
The Asset Sale Agreement for the Bell Bay Power Station site and the gas turbines will now proceed on identical terms to those agreed in March.
“Alinta has also announced that Aurora Energy have provided Alinta until 27 July 2007 to negotiate revised commercial arrangements based on alternative gas supplies.
“This week, my political opponents have questioned my integrity. Some media outlets have accused me of evasion and spin.
“As one of the Shareholders in Tasmania’s energy businesses, I am the steward of many billions in assets that belong to all Tasmanians.
“These businesses operate in a ruthless national market where they either compete or cooperate with some very heavy hitters.
“In this environment, the idea that I should provide a blow by blow account of every shift in the negotiations in which these businesses are involved is plainly stupid. To do so would be immensely damaging.
Mr Llewellyn said this week has again shown that the standard of political and media debate about energy issues is very poor.
“I have a role in lifting the standard of that debate.
“The Greens’ comments about the Alinta situation reflects both their wilful ignorance of commercial matters, and their desire to twist every possible development into a bizarre conspiracy.
“Likewise, Mr Gutwein, who unlike his predecessor Mr Hodgman, has at least some grasp of these issues, has throughout this issue consistently demonstrated the Machiavellian traits that make him so unpopular with his colleagues.
“People would do well to remember that just because the Green Liberal opposition says something, it doesn’t mean that it is true.
“The Government stands by its record in energy reform and Tasmanian’s can look forward to more of the same.”
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