In what's sadly just the latest case of this Liberal Government's complete aversion to transparency, Minister Guy Barnett has been caught out misleading the house about cost estimates for Marinus.
A fortnight ago, Minister Barnett was adamant he could not reveal cost estimates for Marinus Link, the North West Transmission Development or the Battery of the Nation projects because they were all subject to a "live procurement process."
He said the order from the House to reveal the costs was, and I quote, "absolutely mad", "mind boggling", "dreadful", "absolutely irresponsible", "reprehensible", "reckless", "shameful", "a sovereign risk to the state", "would have serious intended consequences for the future of Tasmania", and would "force the government to essentially break the law".
Given Minister Barnett announced the estimated cost in a press release over the weekend, we now know his forceful pushback was nothing more than egregious gaslighting.
Unfortunately, gaslighting is true to form for this Minister, who told ABC radio earlier this year that the Liberals never had a policy to exit the National Electricity Market, despite that policy still being on their website.
Even when Mr Compton read the Liberals' 2018 policy to exit the NEM out live on air (which is also detailed in this video featuring the Minister), Mr Barnett didn't waver from his lies.
After ten years in office, this Liberal Government has shown it is willing to treat Tasmanians like mushrooms and keep them in the dark on important issues when it suits their narrative.
The Liberals' lack of transparency - and subsequent gaslighting when it it's called out - has to stop.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables
