Jeremy Rockliff continues to hide the true cost of Marinus Link - including the ultimate cost to Tasmanians through their power bills.
Since relinquishing nearly half of Tasmania's equity share to the Federal Labor Government three days ago because our budget couldn't afford it, the Liberals have been claiming that Tasmania's total upfront investment for Marinus Link will be just over $100 million.
But this is not true. With Tasmania required to take on its share of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation debt, the figure is likely to be nearly half a billion dollars.
And, given that Marinus requires the North West Transition Development, which Tasmania will have to fully fund, the true cost to Tasmania of getting Marinus up and running is closer to $2 billion - or nearly 20 times what the Liberals are claiming.
If this was such a "ripper deal" the Premier would be open and upfront about the true cost - instead of trying to mislead Tasmanians and make it sound better than it is.
Tasmanian Labor supports Marinus if it is in the best interests of Tasmania.
The Premier and the Energy Minister need to outline exactly what the real upfront cost of the total project is likely to be, especially the ongoing impact on Tasmanians' power bills.
Dean Winter MP
Shadow Minister for Energy and Renewables
