Andrea Dawkins MP | Greens' Water spokesperson
The Auditor-General’s report into TasWater confirms what we knew - TasWater inherited a large amount of work to be done over a short period of time, but progress has been significant.
In its findings, the report confirms the Liberals’ plans for TasWater are purely political. Their glee in every unfortunate negative event in totally inappropriate, and not backed up by the infrastructure reality.
The Liberals have no expertise in provision of drinking water, and ignored the Greens questions on the subject for years. There’s no reason to suggest their structural intervention would prevent water contamination events.
The Greens would like to see more progress on addressing environmental issues around sewerage treatment, but understand TasWater’s decision to prioritise provision of safe drinking water. We expect the next stages of TasWater’s sewerage plant improvements will bring improved environmental outcomes.
The report acknowledges the scale of works required - and being gradually rolled out by TasWater - and exposes the Liberals’ self-constructed attempt at an election issue.
All Tasmanians should have access to safe drinking water, and petty politics shouldn’t get in the way of that.