Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Tuesday 9th March 2010

Treasurer should explain newest water and sewerage mess

Onstream’s decision to compete with existing Tasmanian businesses is a new low for the Treasurer’s bungled water and sewerage changes.

It is ludicrous that we now have an organisation set up at considerable taxpayer expense to provide water and sewerage services instead focusing its efforts on providing IT, business management and public relations advice in competition with existing Tasmanian businesses.

The Treasurer needs to explain why he believes this is acceptable. The Treasurer has set these businesses up and he must explain why a regulated monopoly business underpinned with ratepayers funds should be allowed to tout for business taking work from established Tasmanian companies.

We know that there have been terrible problems simply sending out the current water and sewerage bills, so rather than now trying to take business from existing Tasmanian companies Onstream should, in my opinion, be focused on ensuring that their core responsibilities are met first before even considering other non-core options.

The Treasurer must provide an explanation.