Secrecy over Marinus Link clean energy project ‘will end’, Tasmanian Liberals pledge

Secrecy surrounding one of Australia’s largest taxpayer-funded clean energy projects is about to end, after months of suppression. Big price increases but hefty profits are tipped.

The Marinus Link will supply green energy to the mainland

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Tasmania’s caretaker government has relented to pressure over its suppression of the final business case for the $5bn Marinus Link, agreeing to brief MPs and release the long-awaited document.

The “whole of state business case” for the second power interconnector under Bass Strait was received by the Liberal government 10 weeks ago.

However, as revealed in The Australian on the weekend, it includes “ugly” projected power price increases and was kept under wraps throughout the recent state election campaign.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff has been accused of breaching caretaker conventions by blocking a proposed briefing for Labor on the vital assessment of one of the ­nation’s biggest energy projects.

The government, which is scrambling to try to form another minority government with crossbenchers, had denied those claims but on Monday signalled it would end the secrecy.

“I’m advised that briefings are going to be offered tomorrow (Tuesday) to the Labor Party, to the Green Party but also to a number of incumbent independents,” senior minister Jo Palmer said. “It will be released soon after that.”

The Marinus Link route.

Ms Palmer blamed Labor’s June no confidence motion, which triggered a crisis resulting in Mr Rockliff calling the snap election, for the long delay in releasing the business case.

Business figures who have received high-level briefings on the document say it shows “ugly” hikes to prices to pay for the project’s associated transmission infrastructure. However, they say it also includes estimates of increased annual income to Tasmania – thought to be $200m to $400m – from exporting more clean energy to Victoria.

Sources told The Australian the federal and Victorian governments were ready to proceed with the Marinus Link, which aims to make Tasmania “the battery of the nation”, mainly via a new on-island wind boom. However, the Tasmanian government has given mixed signals about its decision on the 750-megawatt Stage 1 cable, promised by July 31. It failed to release the business case a month ­before that date, as promised.

Artist’s impression of the Marinus Link undersea-HVDC-cable.

Labor leader Dean Winter, also in discussions with crossbenchers about potentially forming minority government if the Liberals cannot, said his party must be fully consulted about any decision.

“In line with caretaker conventions, we expect our own comprehensive briefing on the Marinus Link Whole of State Business Case,” Mr Winter said.

“We also expect to be consulted on the decision, and require the business case to be made public.”

Mr Winter has questioned if the Liberals suppressed the report because it showed “massive price increases for Tasmanian households and businesses”.

The state is in a period of political limbo following the election of another hung parliament on July 19. The final make-up of seats in the assembly will be known after preference counting, starting on Tuesday afternoon, but days or weeks of negotiations with independents and minor parties may follow before it is known who forms the next government.

The Liberals appear likely to hold 14 or 15 seats, Labor 10, the Greens five, independents four and the Shooters, Fishers and Farmers one or two.

Labor has said the Liberals would have the first opportunity to form government but appear unlikely to secure the 18 votes required for majority. In that case, Mr Winter has flagged his willingness to form government with the support of the Greens as well as three independents.