Duigan out of his depth

With the closure of Liberty Bell Bay, and Bell Bay Aluminium on the ropes, Nick Duigan’s position as Energy Minister is under enormous pressure.

More than 200 workers in his own electorate have lost their jobs after he and the Rockliff Government failed to secure a workable power agreement.

Energy was central to Liberty Bell Bay’s future and to its failure. Hydro Tasmania is a government business. This deal was his responsibility.

Instead, Minister Duigan was missing in action, appeared to have no grip on the negotiations and has showed he is completely out of his depth.

The government engaged Deloitte and Mallinson's to assist the government.

Tasmanians deserve to know how much they were paid, what they were asked to do and how the deal still ended in failure.

This is now bigger than Liberty. 

Bell Bay Aluminium still has no long-term power agreement, major industry in Tasmania has no certainty and our entire economy is at risk. 

Tasmania cannot afford an Energy Minister who can’t control Hydro, can’t negotiate with major industry and can’t protect jobs.