Energy Minister Guy Barnett cannot dodge his responsibility for Hydro jobs as five per cent of the workers at the business face the axe.
Shadow Energy Minister David O'Byrne said Mr Barnett had immediately attempted to distance himself from the 50 Hydro job losses, showing a fundamental weakness in his ability to stand up for Tasmanian jobs which were his responsibility as Minister.
"It's just not good enough that Mr Barnett has washed his hands of this serious matter saying the job losses are a matter for the business and its board when they are certainly a matter for him," Mr O'Byrne said.
"It's just not good enough that Guy Barnett is more than happy to stand in a hard hat and high vis claiming he is leading a jobs bonanza in the energy sector and then instead deliver significant job cuts.
"It's not good enough that Guy Barnett promised to protect jobs - not axe workers - and then is complicit in getting rid of five per cent of the Hydro workforce.
"Those workers expect him to explain himself and explain when exactly he knew this was coming when just last December he made no mention of job losses or restructures before the Parliament's Estimates hearings.
"But in the style typical of Mr Barnett and his Liberal Government colleagues, he's happy to take part in photo opportunities and stunts and more than willing to go into hiding when the news is bad.
"When did he know his new hand-picked CEO's first order of business would be to cut these jobs?
"How does this reflect his claims that he was busy transforming Tasmania into a world centre for renewable energy expertise?
"Those are the vital questions he needs to answer when he can find the backbone to front the workers who are his responsibility."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Energy
