Peter Gutwein, Premier

On behalf of the Tasmanian Government, I wish to reaffirm that our thoughts and prayers are with the family, loved ones and colleagues of the worker missing at Henty Mine.

Our emergency services are assisting with the search for the missing worker and I thank all involved for their continued efforts.

I have spoken with the Mine Manager and also the West Coast Council Mayor, Phil Vickers, to express the full support of the Tasmanian Government to the search operation and west coast community.

Elise Archer, Minister for Building and Construction

Legislation designed to help make Tasmania’s electricity industry safer has been released for public consultation.

Currently, legislation governing electricity safety is spread across three Acts that have not been updated since the 1990s.

Consolidating all legislation relating to electricity safety in one new Act will make it easier for practitioners to understand their obligations and responsibilities.

The new draft Electricity Safety Bill:

Peter Gutwein, Premier;
Guy Barnett, Minister for Energy

The Tasmanian majority Liberal Government’s priority is jobs, and we are delivering our commitment to relocate jobs from Hydro Tasmania’s Victorian-based retail business Momentum Energy to its customer service operations in Tasmania.

By the end of next month, more than 40 Tasmanians will have been employed in customer roles in Cambridge, previously carried out in Melbourne, well ahead of our schedule to deliver the total of more than 70 jobs over this term of Government.

Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Gutwein majority Liberal Government is getting on with the job, delivering a range of measures to help farmers and land owners better manage wild deer populations.

Our focus is on maintaining a sensible balance between managing the impacts of wild deer on agricultural production, conservation areas and forestry, and maintaining deer as a valued recreational hunting resource.

Guy Barnett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water

The Gutwein majority Liberal Government is taking action to ensure water resources are managed responsibly during extreme dry conditions to minimise hardship for farmers and protect the environment.

Today I am declaring that the Water Resource Management Extreme Dry Policy should apply to the North-East region of Tasmania, comprising the Pipers, Little Forester, Brid, Great Forester, Ringarooma, Ansons and George rivers.

Peter Gutwein, Premier

The Gutwein majority Liberal Government remains focused on delivering our Plan to boost the economy, create more jobs and provide more opportunities for all Tasmanians.

With Tasmanian businesses the most confident in the country, and the fastest growing economy in the nation, local companies are investing in their future now, more than ever before. Over 18,000 jobs have been created since we first came to Government.

Peter Gutwein, Premier

I confirm Andrew Finch has been appointed as my Chief of Staff.

Andrew brings significant leadership and policy experience having held a number of senior positions in Government.

The appointment follows the resignation of former Chief of Staff, Tim Baker, prior to yesterday’s Parliamentary Liberal Party meeting.

Tim will return to his substantive position in DPIPWE where he will continue to undertake an important role in the State Service.