Power play done like a dinner
STATE ELECTION
IT’S pleasing to see both the major parties are focusing on energy supply in this election campaign, but both seem to be fixated on the mooted second Basslink project. That proposal is deemed to have tantalising electoral appeal, despite the fact the business case is very flimsy. Tasmania imports more energy in the form of petroleum fuels than we generate in electricity. We generate less than 40 per cent of the state’s total energy needs. With the best will in the world we can’t become a net energy exporter.
With electrification of vehicles over the next two decades, the transport sector will be placing higher demands on Hydro Tasmania’s electricity supply. It is estimated that a total conversion of the state’s transport fleet to electricity would use as much power as the Hobart Zinc Works currently does. Where will this come from? Tasmania’s energy resilience is going to be aided best by focusing on future needs, not trying to recklessly engage in the troubled national energy market for questionable profit, where at best we will be a two-bit player and likely to be done like a dinner. eign investment in Tasmania? One proposed development is Villa Howden. An iconic, quirky Tasmanian speciality building has a development application for some 42 units to surround and envelop the original building. Villa Howden has been purchased by a Chinese investor, and from my understanding the proposal is to operate it as a classy hotel for Chinese guests and weddings. This begs the question as to how much of Tasmania and the Tasmanian brand will be experienced by overseas visitors. Surely we need to encourage tourists to sample the wide range of tourist venues and accommodation Tasmania has to offer. Isn’t this better than a one-stop fly in fly out destination?
Exploiting mountain
BY secretly approving cable car works on the mountain, the Hodgman Government is moving to pre-empt the outcome of the election. This is another example of the government’s overwhelming desire for development at all costs. Approval has occurred without consultation or due process, leaving mountain lovers feeling violated. How soulless to regard beautiful kunanyi/Mt Wellington as no more than an object for commercial exploitation.
Minority myth
WAYNE Crawford has brilliantly exposed the myth by Will Hodgman and Rebecca White that they will form government alone or not at all (Talking Point, February 15). More and more people are voting for minor parties resulting in hung parlia- themercury.com.au readers have a new way to have their say. It’s free to use, just register and have your say. For more details and to register, visit the website. ments. Our leaders would be wise to take the advice of the South Australian Premier “My objective is to (win) by ourselves, but I will deal with the parliament that the people of South Australia give us”.
Energy nonsense
IT is nonsense for Labor Leader Rebecca White to claim she can drive down the cost of energy though Labor Green party renewables. Look at what happened under Labor with the same ridiculous policies in South Australia where they have blackouts because renewables are a large part of the energy source but provide nothing like enough base load power. The cost of power in SA is the highest in Australia and among the highest in the world. The Liberals have kept power costs at or near the inflation rate, the only state to do so.
I remember
MY memory is long enough to remember the Labor/Green tenure four years ago. They almost made Tasmania a basket case then wanted to close schools and lay off nurses and police to try to balance the books. Many of the same faces are asking Tasmanians to forget about their incompetence. Rebecca White should have as much interest in Tasmania’s welfare as she has in having the title of premier next her name. She is again willing to go to bed with the Greens and tried to make her bed with the Lambie Network even before an election was called.
Bigger mistakes
THOSE calling for Barnaby Joyce’s resignation have multiple reasons to do so. But the most serious is the damage he allowed to the Murray Darling Basin Agreement. Allowing him to have control over water was one of the gravest mistakes Prime Minister Turnbull made. He may be realising, what a compact he made with the devil when he negotiated the agreement to achieve his ambition.
Office party in danger
IT looks like Malcolm Turnbull may finally achieve his dream of a prominent place in political history: the PM who killed the parliamentary Christmas party (“PM’s office sex ban over Joyce affair”, Mercury, February 16).
Still junk mail
ON my letterbox is a sign saying no to junk mail. Tim Cox sticks his pamphlet in the same box and in it he states that he too has No Junk Mail on his box but he thinks that he has something really important to say I should know about. Ignoring the will of the people is a bad start.
Footy handouts
AFL laughing all the way to the bank at Tasmanian taxpayers’ expense. Worst part is our government is stupid enough to give it to them. Probably stringing along for the handouts and never intended to have a team in the first place.