Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens' Energy spokesperson
The Liberals should be spending $20 million on real action to create energy security, instead of a wasteful, politically-driven business case for a second Basslink interconnector. This money could build more renewable capacity now, and help pay Tasmanians a fair price for their rooftop solar.
The Commonwealth report into the feasibility of a second Basslink, published earlier this year, was adamant it would be a lame duck project.
The report concluded a second cable was not feasible at this stage, and it didn't even make sense for the Tasmanian Government to spend money on developing a business case.
The State and Federal Liberals are indulging in a second Basslink pipedream, leaving Tasmanians with the financial burden of a $20 million dollar study that won’t be worth the paper it’s printed on.
We know we can build 730MW worth of additional renewable generation in Tasmania with the existing Basslink cable. Spending $20 million on a business case for something that may never happen, instead of investing it in on-island renewables, is irresponsible.
This announcement is simply politics and grandstanding that refuses to accept the advice of experts. It's standard behaviour from Federal and State Liberal governments desperately seeking an election sales-pitch.