Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Wednesday 17th February 2010

Treasurer in hiding over electricity price stuff up

The Treasurer, Michael Aird, cannot continue to blame the Economic Regulator for bungling Labor’s attempt to intervene in setting power prices in Tasmania.

Mr Aird remains in hiding, sending out fellow Legislative Councillor, Lin Thorpe, to do his dirty work.

Three days after I challenged him to a debate, and two days after it was announced he was trying to intervene in electricity price setting, Michael Aird still hasn’t been seen.

The Treasurer has taken a ‘Where’s Wally’ approach to ministerial accountability and explaining his economic and financial policies if Labor is re-elected.

There are now very serious questions for the Treasurer to answer. How will the Treasurer cap electricity prices, given that he missed the window of opportunity to change the regulations?

Will Tasmanians be forced to fill out a 17 page form to get an electricity rebate, like the Treasurer forced businesses to do with Land Tax? Can he even guarantee that his price cap can work, or is this simply a false promise designed to fool voters?

Michael Aird is like a metaphor for Labor: secretive, bungling, unaccountable and shifty.

If the Treasurer wants to prove me wrong, then my invitation for a public debate still stands.