Media Release

Peter Gutwein MP
Shadow Treasurer

Thursday 11th March 2010

Labor must say whether they will sell assets to pay for their election spendathon

According to the TCCI’s Spendometer, Labor’s election spending commitments now total a massive $443.8 million.

The only way Labor could fund spending of this magnitude is by selling assets.

There is already strong speculation in senior Government circles that the Tamar Valley Power Station at Bell Bay is first on Labor’s asset sale list.

The Tamar Valley Power Station represents 14 percent of Tasmania’s generating capacity. It was commissioned in October 2009.

I call on Mr Bartlett to immediately explain whether he sell any State assets to pay for his election spendathon.

Meanwhile, at their campaign launch yesterday, the Greens promised to spend an additional $70.8 million, bringing their campaign promises so far to a totally unrealistic $608.1 million.

Together the Labor and Green promises now totals more than a massive $1 billion – the bill which Tasmanians will face under a Labor-Green minority government.

By contrast the Liberals’ promises total $306 million.

Source: Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce & Industry

The TCCI Spendometer can be found at www.spendometer.com.au