The Legislative Council has agreed to establish a Select Committee to inquire into the government’s planned takeover of water and sewerage provider TasWater.
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The committee will examine and report on the “benefits and challenges” associated with the state government’s proposal to take ownership of TasWater.
It will begin work when the relevant legislation has been drafted and is made available in the public arena.
Ms Armitage said the motion was designed to make sure the Upper House had “something in train” by the time the relevant bill was tabled in the chamber.
“If we can have an effective and an efficient Select Committee inquiry ... [it] will be a good way towards establishing the pros and cons of the government’s proposed takeover by the time the bill actually comes to our House,” she said.
Independent Apsley MLC Tania Rattray, who will be a member of the committee, said her electorate was particularly affected by water and sewerage issues.
“There seems to be two very different views in regard to whether the government’s takeover of TasWater is a good thing,” she said.
Independent Rosevears MLC Kerry Finch will also be on the committee.
He said there was a “lack of cognisance” around the state’s water and sewerage problem.
“For a state with abundant and … reliable rainfall, it is hard to understand why Tasmania’s water supply has been such a long-running mess,” Mr Finch said.
Acting Leader of the Government Leonie Hiscutt said the Liberals supported Ms Armitage’s motion.
“The … investment strategy of TasWater and the large returns paid to councils have constrained it from upgrading its infrastructure to address systemic issues in Tasmanian water and sewerage industries,” Mrs Hiscutt said.
The government announced its proposed takeover of TasWater earlier this year, citing “third-world” water and sewerage services, particularly in the north.
The Liberals claimed they were better equipped to expedite TasWater’s capital expenditure plan than were councils.
Also on Tuesday, independent Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest called on the government to throw out its legislation to amend anti-discrimination laws.
The motion received six votes in the affirmative and six in the negative, meaning it was defeated.
