Hydro Tasmania’s plan to sack 50 staff and sell-off Momentum condemned by Labor, unions

Labor and unions have called for the state government to intervene to prevent job losses at Hydro Tasmania and the potential sale of a key asset belonging to the enterprise. LATEST >>

• $60m hotel development once again put on ice
• ‘Inspiration’: Feisty Tassie author loses her fight

LABOR and unions have called for the state government to intervene to prevent job losses at Hydro Tasmania and the potential sale of a key asset belonging to the enterprise.

Last week, the government-owned power generator announced it would shed about 50 staff as part of a “business transformation process”.

Days later, Hydro hinted at selling its mainland-based market retail business Momentum Energy, with a review to consider the potential for divestment.

Labor energy spokesman David O’Byrne said the government needed to step in.

“Workers are shocked by this, and Tasmanians should be outraged that you’ve got a government claiming the credit for the good news, but running and hiding for the bad news,’’ he said.

Labor MP David O'Byrne. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“Peter Gutwein said he was going to rule out the privatisation of Hydro, but he’s not ruling out job cuts and he’s not ruling out privatisation of key Hydro assets.”

Australian Services Union Tasmanian organiser Karen Tantari said workers were worried about the impacts of the changes.

“They are frustrated, fatigued, exhausted, and they are sick of restructures — this is the second one in just over 12 months,’’ she said.

Professionals Australia Tasmanian director Luke Crowley said the impact of cuts not only affected individuals who lost their jobs, but the workloads of those who remained.

On Saturday, Premier Peter Gutwein said the government would not sell Hydro Tasmania under any circumstances.

“The restructure announced by Hydro last week is to better capitalise on opportunities presented by the transformation of the Australian energy sector and to maintain downward pressure on energy prices for customers,’’ he said.

Hydro Tasmania last week said work had been underway for six months focusing on the core business of electricity generation and “flattening the structure to empower our people”.

Hydro Tas considers sale after sacking 50 staff

March 11, 2021

HYDRO Tasmania has announced it may sell its mainland-based market retail business Momentum Energy.

The government-owned power generator said on Thursday it was reviewing options for the retailer, including the potential for divestment.

Any sale process would be subject to state government approval and would enable Hydro Tasmania to focus on its generation business, chief executive Evangelista Albertini said.

“Hydro Tasmania is considering options to simplify its business and take advantage of unprecedented change in the energy sector,’’ he said.

“Momentum Energy is a strong, lean, well-run and profitable business that is ready to scale quickly on the back of already impressive customer growth.”

Momentum Energy has more than 260,000 customer sites across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australia.

The business has about 300 full-time employees, based in Melbourne and Hobart.

It comes after Hydro announced on Wednesday it would shed about 50 staff (below) as part of a “business transformation process”.

The company said work had under way for six months focusing on the core business of electricity generation and “flattening the structure to empower our people”.

How many jobs will be cut from Hydro Tasmania

David Killick

March 10, 2021

GOVERNMENT-owned power generator Hydro Tasmania will shed around 50 of its staff as part of a “business transformation process”, the company announced on Wednesday.

The company said work had been underway for six months focusing on the core business of electricity generation and “flattening the structure to empower our people.”

“We anticipate a headcount reduction of around five per cent (approximately 50 FTE) over a 12 month period,” a statement read.

“Where people are displaced, we will offer training and development to support them to transition to newly created, future-focused roles as well as roles which become available through natural attrition where possible.”

Hydro Tasmania CEO, Evangelista Albertini, said the business needed to adapt.

Hydro Tasmania CEO Evangelista Albertini. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

“We recognise that change is always difficult and we have been working with our people to redesign our business around the essential services we must provide and the agility we need to play a crucial role in Australia’s clean energy future, ensuring all Tasmanians benefit from a sustainable and profitable Hydro Tasmania,” he said.

Mr Albertini, who was announced as the new CEO in September, said the changes would not have any impact on power prices.

Former CEO Steve Davy announced he would step down from the $611,000 a year role in March 2020.

Hydro Tasmania reported an underlying profit of $172m in 2019/20, according to its annual report and had 1236 full time equivalent staff across Hydro, its consulting arm Entura and interstate retailer Momentum.

Follow @DavidJKillick