Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding has denied Opposition claims that the government resisted helping TasWater develop a business case for its planned upgrades.
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On the final day of budget estimates, Mr Hidding, the most experienced member of the government, dismissed Opposition finance spokesman Scott Bacon’s suggestion that TasWater was left in the lurch in its quest for federal funding.
Mr Bacon implied that the government had deliberately taken a hands-off approach to TasWater’s bid for funding from Infrastructure Australia for the provider’s proposed infrastructure upgrades.
Mr Bacon asserted that the government had chosen not to help TasWater in devising a business case so as to build its own case for a takeover of the company.
TasWater is owned by the state’s 29 councils.
He pointed to the government’s involvement in the University of Tasmania’s case for the relocation of the STEM facility from Sandy Bay to the Hobart CBD as a contrasting example.
Infrastructure Australia approved that project in February.
Mr Hidding said Infrastructure Tasmania’s involvement in the UTAS project was to secure its place on the IA priority list.
The water and sewerage upgrades for Tasmania had already had its business case approved by the peak national infrastructure body.
“We have asked for money,” Mr Hidding said of potential funding for the water and sewerage upgrades.
“It’s fair to say our negotiations for funding … would ordinarily be for our assets.
“TasWater would be required to present business cases to Infrastructure Australia.”
Mr Bacon also raised the matter of a social media post that alleged the Minister had been seen speeding on the Esk Main Road in May, as he overtook another vehicle.
Mr Bacon asked Mr Hidding whether he could confirm he had been speeding on that day.
The Minister said while he was on that particular stretch of road on that day, he did not believe he had been speeding.
