TasWater laws ‘on schedule’

THE State Government insists its TasWater takeover legislation is progressing as planned despite the Opposition saying it has been delayed.

The House of Assembly was in the midst of debating the takeover legislation last Thursday when parliament was adjourned. The Lower House will not sit again until September 12.

Opposition spokeswoman for local government Madeleine Ogilvie said the manner of the adjournment suggested there was a problem with the legislation. Labor has joined councils in questioning the legality of a takeover.

Ms Ogilvie said debate was “weirdly and strangely” stopped and parliament was adjourned early when Labor started questioning the struc- ture of the proposed water and sewerage entity.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein has rejected suggestions there was anything unusual about the adjournment.

“Progress of the TasWater legislation through the parliament is proceeding as planned, and on schedule,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr Gutwein has welcomed the Local Government Association’s deci- sion to abandon its “fighting fund” to combat the Government’s planned takeover.

A proposed $200,000-plus fighting fund to campaign against the intended takeover of TasWater has been shelved after fewer than half of local councils contributed to it.

Local Government Association of Tasmania chief executive Katrena Stephenson said the association “pulled the plug” last month on its cash request to councils to fund a central campaign against the takeover.

Mr Gutwein welcomed the decision, saying the campaign was ill conceived.

“This is a sensible decision and reflective of the very strong community support for our proposal,” he said.

While the Liberals have criticised Local Government Association of Tasmania’s proposed spending on an antitakeover campaign, they have not been shy in spending taxpayers’ money promoting its own agenda for TasWater.

An answer to a question on notice from State Budget estimates revealed the Department of Premier and Cabinet spent $27,698 advertising the Government’s water and sewerage policy in 2016-17.