New relationship no help to takeover plan

UPPER House members have reacted with scepticism to Premier Will Hodgman’s promise of a better relationship, casting a shadow over version two of the TasWater takeover.

Mr Hodgman has vowed to forge a more collaborative partnership with the Legislative Council after key Bills were blocked during his government’s first term.

They included the takeover of TasWater from its council owners in a bid to fix the state’s crumbling water and sewerage infrastructure.

The Upper House voted down the move 10-4 in November but the re-elected Hodgman Government has promised to reintroduce a “sweetened” version in its first 100 days of office.

Independent Hobart MLC Rob Valentine, who voted against the takeover, said the problem had been with the legislation rather than the re- lationship. “You can form a relationship but it still means that the legislation has to be scrutinised,” Mr Valentine told the Mercury.

“My advice to government is that they actually work to create a better engagement with all parties in parliament and to concentrate on getting the big picture right.”

The Government blamed the four Labor MLCs on the 15-seat council, accusing them of leading an obstructionist bloc that also defeated mandatory sentencing legislation.

Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest said no such bloc existed.

“It would be interesting to know what (the Premier) thinks the problem actually was,” Ms Forrest said. “They just tried to ram things through with no regard for what we were saying.”

Launceston MLC Rosemary Armitage, who voted for the takeover, said the relationship with the Govern- ment was irrelevant.

“You look at the legislation that comes before you, you examine that and you consult with your community,” Ms Armitage said.

Treasurer Peter Gutwein “sweetened” the takeover deal during the election campaign by promising TasWater’s current owners 50 per cent of profits or $20 million from 2025, a package the Local Government Association has all but rejected.

The three independent MLCs the Mercury spoke to said they were unlikely to change their votes without significant new information.

Labor says it is willing to work constructively with the Government if there is more consultation.

“The legislation that the Government presents to the Upper House must be workable and evidence-based,” said Labor MLC Sarah Lovell.

A government spokesman said its legislative agenda would be detailed once the election result was formalised.

They just tried to ram things through with no regard for what we were saying RUTH FORREST