A Rebecca White Labor Government will legislate to guarantee major industrials' energy supply arrangements and, in turn, guarantee the future of manufacturing in the state.
This includes an electricity reserve for major industrials, with the ability to grow the reserve for new entrants or to grow existing businesses, and directing supply agreements with major industrials until at least 2040.
Hydro has made its intention to become entirely a 'firmer' public, with no protest from the Liberal Government. There is a risk it seeks to exit direct contracting completely and this has created significant, unnecessary risk for industrials who have come under increasing pressure from wholesale and transmission price rises.
Tasmanians built the Hydro and we should be reaping the benefits but after 10 years of a Liberal government, Tasmanians are paying mainland prices for their power and there is not enough energy for major industrials.
But it's not just about supporting our existing industrials, it's also about trying to bring more manufacturing to the state.
While the Liberals want to use Marinus to focus on exporting Tasmanian power to the mainland, Labor wants to invest in on-island generation and use that to grow our economy through expansions and new industrials.
Labor are firm supporters of projects like Robbins Island, Whaleback Ridge, Abel Energy and HIF. A Labor Government will give them every chance to succeed.
It's time for a better future and a Tasmanian Labor Government will act immediately to once again give Tasmanians a Hydro that works for them, gives them a Tasmanian price for Tasmanian power and get back to contributing to our economic development.
Labor's Tasmania First Energy Plan will:
- Put Tasmanians first
- Give certainty to major industrials and Tasmanian jobs
- Legislate an energy reserve for major industrials, which can grow for new entrants or expansion of existing businesses
- Direct supply agreements with major industrials until at least 2040
- Encourage major new industries to relocate to Tasmania
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy
