The Labor party stands for safe, secure and well-paying jobs – and the next era of energy development and the industries it will support presents a golden opportunity to create them by the thousands

However with no new generation projects coming online for nearly four years, Tasmania has become stuck in a period of renewables inertia that has been driving away proponents and leaving proposals on hold.  

As with salmon, and with forestry, my offer to Jeremy Rockliff is for bipartisanship on boosting renewable generation.

We’ve already seen the JLN vote against supporting renewable projects, but no matter what stance the Liberals’ minority coalition partners or the Greens take, Labor will always back opportunities to grow generation. We won’t be playing games, or putting any developments and jobs at risk. 

However our commitment to renewables doesn’t stop at bipartisanship. If we’re really going to get moving as a state, we think it is critical that the state government starts investing in renewable energy projects around the state, where those projects stack up and where proponents welcome the investment.

By ensuring the government has skin in the game, co-investment will get more projects off the ground, creating new, secure, well-paying jobs, and it will bring in more money for schools, hospitals and all the other things our community desperately needs.

If we work together as a state on renewables, I believe we can secure the future of the energy industry in Tasmania, and help make Tasmania the best place to grow up, work and retire.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader