Insane TasWater proposal rejected, council dividends must be next

Labor congratulates the Economic Regulator for rejecting TasWater’s ridiculous proposal to hike Tasmania’s water bills by 40 per cent.

Unfortunately, the Regulator has no power over the dividends TasWater returns to councils, and Labor remains deeply concerned that under TasWater’s corporate plan councils are still in line for a 50 per cent dividend increase.

Once again, we are calling on TasWater and its owner councils to rule out this increase. It is nothing short of greedy, and would be a massive kick in the teeth to Tasmanians already struggling to keep up with the bills.

TasWater can’t claim it needs every dollar for upgrades while funnelling more money back to its council owners. Either the money is needed for upgrades, or it’s spare cash for dividends. It can’t be both.

Tasmanians are already struggling with rising costs across the board, and they shouldn’t be forced to pay more just so councils can take more.