Tasmanian Labor stands for safe, secure, well-paid jobs.
We're extremely concerned the Minority Liberal Government is ratcheting up the pressure on major industries already facing major challenges.
Minister for Energy Nick Duigan has today confirmed the Minority Liberal Government increased energy transmission costs for our major industrials by an average of nearly 20 per cent this financial year, and is set to increase them by more than 10 per cent this coming year.
This couldn't come at a worse time for the hundreds of workers at Liberty Bell Bay, who are already concerned by news that contractors have been stood down, one furnace is not operating, a notorious US vulture fund has been given full security over the plant, major customer Infrabuild has copped a credit downgrade and who recently witnessed the collapse of the GFG-owned Whyalla steelworks.
And on top of all this, the Premier's policy to privatise TasNetworks and parts of Hydro will inevitably lead to even higher power prices in the future.
Hundreds of workers are facing an uncertain future and need to be assured the Liberals will use every lever available to support their jobs, yet the Rockliff Minority Government is just making things worse.
Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
