Labor believes the Marinus Link is key to making Tasmania a true renewable powerhouse for the whole country.
But for Marinus Link to reach its full potential and Tasmania to become the battery of the nation, it will require a genuine commitment to renewable energy from the Federal Morrison Government.
"Unfortunately we are not seeing this commitment at the Federal level and as a consequence the second Bass Strait power cable is going nowhere," Shadow Labor Energy Minister David
O'Byrne said.
"The Marinus project needs to be part of the broader modernisation of Australia's energy system, but it's clear this is not going to occur under the Liberal Morrison Government which continues to use taxpayer money to back gas and coal fired power.
"The Federal Liberal Government's priorities when it comes to energy make a mockery of Premier Peter Gutwein's promises to the people of Tasmania.
"Without pro-renewable policies from the Federal Government, it's estimated stage one of Marinus Link will not be required before 2036 and stage two will not be needed at all.
"The billions in investments and the thousands of jobs promised will vanish.
"It requires much more renewable energy investment certainty on the mainland for Marinus to be viable so it can be brought forward into the 2020s.
"This is the future Labor wants for Tasmania, but it can't be delivered by a Liberal party that pledges to support renewables in Tasmania while doing everything to slow renewables down on the mainland.
"The State Liberal Government also needs to provide certainty around who will own and who pay for this link, as under the current rules Tasmanians will carry the burden of increased power prices.
"Labor does not support an outcome where Tasmanian households and businesses are punished for supporting a project that is for the benefit the whole nation."
David O'Byrne MP
Shadow Minister for Energy
