Dutton gets jump on Labor with GSEIS announcement, TasFarmers say

By
Tasmanian Country
10 Nov 2024
Nathan Calman, TasFarmers CEO

Picture: Nathan Calman, TasFarmers CEO

UPDATED: 

With today’s announcement by the Federal Liberal Leader Peter Dutton that if elected he will fund the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme, Mr Dutton has got the jump on Labor, TasFarmers said. 

“With today’s announcement, Mr Dutton is getting the jump on the Labor Government in anticipation of next year’s election", TasFarmersCEO Nathan Calman said.

“It’s no secret that Labor is pulling out all stops to try and retain Lyons.

“In our view, Federal funding for this project should be a matter of when, not if, and we urge the Federal Labor Government to end the uncertainty and fund the project as soon as possible.”

Mr Calman said that TasFarmers would continue campaigning strongly for the Federal Labor Government's commitment to the project.

 

EARLIER: Liberal Leader Peter Dutton has promised to fund the $150 million Federal component of the Greater South East Irrigation Scheme, if elected.

Mr Dutton will reportedly fly to Tasmania today to make the announcement.

The $300 milllion project will bring water from Lake Meadowbank in the Derwent Valley to the south east, generating a net economic benefit of $291 million, and creating 468 new, ongoing jobs.

Mr Dutton's announcement follows a campaign by TasFarmers and most recently Fruit Growers Tasmania, urging Federal funding.

In September, Coal River producer Jake Sheedy of Sisu Wines told the Tasmanian Country that he had had to put his expansion plans on hold due to uncertainty surrounding the future of the GSEIS, and that he was "devastated" when the project wasn't funded in this year's Federal budget.

The project is currently funded by $75 million from the State Government and $75 million from irrigators, and needs $150 million from the Federal Government to complete the funding.

With an election looming, Mr Dutton's announcement is expected put pressure on the Federal Labor Government to also commit to funding the Scheme.

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