[Greens-Media] Tas Greens_Labor Caves In Over W&S Concessions_T Morris MP

[greens at parliament.tas.gov.au]

LABOR CAVES IN OVER ATTEMPT TO COST-SHIFT CONCESSION CHARGES

But Landlord-to-Tenant Cost-Shift Remains

Tim Morris MP
Local Government Spokesperson

Monday, 17 August 2009
Contact: State Parliamentary Offices of the Tasmanian Greens, (03) 6233
8300

www.tas.greens.org.au


The Tasmanian Greens today welcomed the Labor Government's decision to
continue to fund 100 percent of pensioner concessions for water and
sewerage services, and called on Treasurer Aird to apologise for the
fiscal burden he threatened to place onto Local Government and to reveal
why he attempted such a blatant cost-shift in the first place.

Greens Local Government spokesperson Tim Morris MP said that thanks to
the strong stand taken by Local Government leaders and the Legislative
Council, in refusing to accept the multi-million dollar concession
payment cost-shift for water and sewerage services, there is now hope
for a fair resolution to the other major cost-shift that is contained in
this legislation - the transfer of responsibility for water and sewerage
charges from property owners to tenants.

Mr Morris also noted that while Treasurer Michael Aird has been the
proponent of the decision to shift costs onto Local Government, it was
Premier David Bartlett who announced the sudden change in policy,
leading to suspicions that Mr Bartlett has decided to exert some control
over the stalled reform process.  

"The Bartlett Government went too far in its reform process when it
proposed to shift the cost of concessions onto local Councils, and it is
pleasing to see Council leaders and the Legislative Council standing
against Treasurer Aird and the Bartlett Government and winning the day
on this issue," said Mr Morris.

"When the Concessions legislation was debated in the House of Assembly
in May the Greens voted against it while both Labor and Liberal voted to
support the Bill. It was only as a consequence of the Legislative
Council stalling the debate until an agreement was reached between
Government and Councils that has allowed this sensible outcome to be
achieved." 

"Mr Aird should apologise for the worry and concern that his ham-fisted
cash-grab has created, and explain why he attempted it in the first
place." 

"There remains at least one significant issue to be resolved and that is
the Bartlett Government's proposal to shift the cost of water and
sewerage services from landlords to tenants without any compensation,
which will be a windfall for landlords, when the only thing that tenants
should pay for is the consumption charge for water." 

"Is Treasurer Aird still in control of this messy Water and Sewerage
reform process, or has the Premier now taken over? 

"The Tasmanian Greens would like to congratulate the Legislative Council
and Local Government leaders for forcing the Bartlett Government to
continue funding concession payments, however, we will continue to
campaign against the extremely unfair cost-shift of the service charge
away from landlords and onto tenants," said Mr Morris.




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