A re-elected majority Liberal Government will tear up and rewrite Hydro’s existing Ministerial Charter to ensure that the Hydro firmly puts Tasmanian prices and Tasmanian jobs first.

“Under our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, a re-elected majority Rockliff Liberal Government will once again make the Hydro a true economic enabler for our State,” Premier Jeremy Rockliff said.

“Today we have announced a supercharged Hydro Renewable Energy Dividend to deliver $250 to every Tasmanian and $300 to around 35,000 small businesses.

“As part of our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future I’m also announcing that my Government will take the next step to securing Tasmanian energy prices and Tasmanian jobs.

“We will tear-up the existing Labor-Green Hydro Charter that prioritises energy export, and instead issue a new directive that firmly puts Tasmanian prices and Tasmanian jobs first, ahead of exporting energy to Victoria.

“Over the past century, Hydro has been the cornerstone of Tasmania’s economic strength, driving the economy, investment and jobs.

“But, in recent years Hydro has drifted from its foundational principles with the emergence of the National Electricity Market, Basslink and the growth of decarbonisation.

“Under our new Charter, the Hydro will return to its rightful place as a Tasmanian economic Powerhouse with Tasmania First foundational principles.

“Our new Hydro charter will ensure that every single decision that Hydro makes is driven by delivering the lowest possible power prices for Tasmanians, and enabling economic growth and job creation right here in Tasmania.”

Hydro’s current charter was implemented by the Labor-Green Government in 2012, and it states:

• 2.1 Principal Purpose: The principal purpose of Hydro Tasmania is to efficiently generate, trade and sell electricity in the National Electricity Market.

A re-elected majority Liberal Government will tear up this Charter and replace it with:

• 2.1 Principal Purpose: The principal purpose of Hydro Tasmania is to provide the lowest possible power prices for Tasmanians; and to enable economic growth and job creation in Tasmania.

Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, said the new Hydro Ministerial Charter would benefit every Tasmanian.

“During the last century, Hydro was a powerhouse that attracted the likes of Bell Bay Aluminium and Nyrstar to set up here on the promise of reliable, cheap and plentiful power,” Minister Duigan said.

“But, like always, the Labor-Green Government failed Tasmanians and in 2012 the then Minister and now Prosser Labor candidate Bryan Green signed a Hydro charter that squarely put Victorians before Tasmanians.

“Our new Charter will return Hydro to its Foundational Principles of putting Tasmania first, it will again attract business to Tasmania, creating jobs and all the economic benefits that come with that.

“Under our Government, we have delivered the lowest regulated electricity prices in Australia. Under Labor, power prices increased 65 per cent.

“Our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future will ensure that power prices are always lower under a majority Liberal Government.”