Jeremy Rockliff

Premier of Tasmania



13 February 2019

Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy

David O'Byrne continues to mislead Tasmanians

David O’Byrne’s reckless fearmongering is complete nonsense and proves he has learnt nothing about water storage levels since running them to the ground during the Labor-Green Government disaster.

As of February 11, storage levels are at 34.2%, which allows Hydro Tasmania to easily maintain supply to meet Tasmania’s demand for electricity.

These levels put Tasmania in a comfortable position, more than 10 per cent above the high reliability level, despite the dry weather.

At no time has Tasmania’s water storage levels been “below safe levels” as Mr O’Byrne claims.

The Government takes advice from the Monitor and Assessor, performed by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator and Tasmania’s energy is in a secure position. Clearly Mr O’Byrne needs to become better informed of Tasmania’s energy security management practice.

The Hodgman Liberal Government has worked hard to restore water storage levels back to what they were prior to being cut under the Labor-Green Government.

David O’Byrne should stop trying to scare Tasmanians.



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