Labor is urging the Rockliff Liberal Government to get its act together and pull out all stops to finalise the upgrade plans for Bell Bay’s port infrastructure so we can capitalise on the enormous renewable energy opportunities that lie ahead for Tasmania.

With a Federal election looming, Tasmania has a huge opportunity to secure an offshore wind industry that will provide a future for Tasmanian workers through well-paid, safe, secure jobs.

But we need to act with urgency and finalise the plan to develop Bell Bay or we risk missing out, again.

Development capital is being allocated as we speak, and Tasmania is already falling behind. Bell Bay does not currently have the port infrastructure to support offshore wind.

Labor has announced a policy to immediately complete plans and a business case for upgrading the Port of Bell Bay so that a funding proposal can be put to the Federal Government before the election.

We need to have the infrastructure in place in the next five years, to be ready for the first components that be arriving in early 2029 to align with Victoria’s 2032 2GW target. We need certainty about the project well before that.

We know Peter Dutton doesn’t like offshore wind, but this is a chance for the state Liberals to demonstrate that they are committed to renewables, and that they’ve learnt from their track record when it comes to major projects.

I urge Minister Vincent and Minister Duigan to do what it takes to get started. Labor is determined to get moving on the big projects that will set our economy up for decades to come, and create thousands of safe, secure, well-paid jobs.

Janie Finlay MP
Shadow Minister for Energy & Renewables