Senate debates Questions without Notice
Infrastructure: Marinus Link
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
2:37 pm
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Senator Gallagher, and I ask: does the Commonwealth remain committed to the Marinus project, in partnership with the Tasmanian government, as currently agreed?
Murray Watt Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Why don't you knock off Eric again?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Yes, the government does remain committed to Marinus Link. It's a very important project. The agreement between the Victorian, Tasmanian and Commonwealth governments to deliver the Marinus Link has included an option for the Tasmanian government to sell their share of the project to the Commonwealth since September last year, which has been public. But, importantly, this option only comes into effect once the first cable of Marinus is fully operational.
This is an important project, which is why we've been getting on, through the work of Minister Bowen, to reach agreements. Again, it's an area where we saw the former government vacate the field, in making sure that we were preparing our energy system for the future.
Marinus is one of those important projects. It remains critically important. It will deliver substantial benefits on both sides of the Tasman, including about 2,400 jobs.
Unidentified interjection - Hansard doesn't record who said this
Opposition Senators:
Opposition senators interjecting—
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
There was very little progress made on this project in your decade in government. But I do note the support of those opposite for the project, and I acknowledge it will provide the affordable, reliable, sustainable electricity that's required not just in Tasmania but on the mainland.
Our approach is to work closely and in good faith with all states and territories on crucial energy projects and policies, and that is what we will continue to do, Senator Duniam.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
2:39 pm
That's delightful. It is Bass Strait, not the Tasman Sea, across which Marinus will go.
Does the minister agree with the comments of the Tasmanian shadow minister for energy, Labor's Mr Dean Winter, as reported in the Mercury newspaper today, that Tasmania would be best off getting out of the Marinus project as soon as possible? Further, he said:
There's no point throwing good money after bad, at a project where more than 90 percent of the benefit flows to the mainland.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
2:40 pm
I missed the first bit of that question, but—
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
I can repeat it.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
No, I think I got the gist of it. I haven't seen those comments.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
Carol should have sent them to you.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
From the Commonwealth's point of view—
Bridget McKenzie Victoria, National Party, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Carol, what have you been doing?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
we believe this is an important project. It's crucial in terms of our transition to new energies—
Honourable senators interjecting—
Sue Lines President
Minister Gallagher, please resume your seat. Order across the chamber! Order! Minister, please continue.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Thank you. The Commonwealth remains committed to it, which is why we have been working so hard through Minister Bowen and the relevant governments—Victorian, Tasmanian and Commonwealth—to move forward with the project. It's a really important project not only from the energy and the benefits it will produce side but certainly from the jobs—
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
President, a point of order on relevance: I asked specifically whether the minister agreed with the comments of the Labor counterpart in Tasmania, Mr Winter. She hasn't gone anywhere near that.
Sue Lines President
Senator Duniam, there was a lot of content in your question, and the minister is being relevant.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Madam President, I did go to them. I said I haven't seen or heard those comments but I understand the question that was being asked. We remain committed to the project, and I am aware of the Tasmanian Labor commitment made in the election campaign.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
2:41 pm
Given that Mr Winter's comments largely mirror those of the Tasmanian Greens and seem to be counter to federal Labor's current agreement on the project, will the minister concede that these comments are reckless and that state Labor's thought-bubble policy will deter investment and, indeed, drive up power prices?
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
2:42 pm
Perhaps Senator Duniam would like to stand in the Tasmanian election that is currently underway.
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
No, I'm a senator for Tasmania.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
Right. Okay. You seem very interested in state matters, Senator Duniam.
No, but you're very interested in what—
Jonathon Duniam Tasmania, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Environment, Fisheries and Forestry
I am interested in what you have to say, however.
Katy Gallagher ACT, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service
But you're very interested in what state politicians are saying during a state election campaign. The Commonwealth government has an agreement in place with the Victorian and Tasmanian governments. There is an option for the Tasmanian government to sell their share of the project to the Commonwealth but only once the first cable of Marinus is fully operational. I don't think it's useful for us to get involved in state campaigns. They'll no doubt traverse a range of issues. The Marinus Link is a project we are committed to, it's going ahead, and of course we will work with whatever government forms government in Tasmania when that election is complete.