Finally, there will be more transparency about Hydro Tasmania's overseas operations following a commitment made by the company under questioning from the Greens today.
Hydro has a long and chequered history overseas, and engaged in work on projects with serious human rights, environmental and worker safety issues in Uganda and Malaysia. In the face of controversy surrounding these operations, Hydro has previously refused to admit the need for more transparency around their international work. This finally seems to have changed, following three years of scrutiny and pressure from the Greens.
Hydro is a publicly owned company, and Tasmanians deserve comprehensive information about their overseas operations. This transparency is crucial to make sure Hydro is no longer involved in the highly problematic types of projects that we've seen in the last 15 years.
During GBE Estimates' scrutiny today, we again pressed Hydro Tasmania about their continued lack of transparency. We received a long-sought commitment from Hydro's Chair to review the company's approach, and provide full information about their international work in their reporting.
This commitment to accountability is a significant change in approach, and although overdue is very welcome. Just three years ago we had the head of Hydro refusing to release the list of countries they had been working in.
The Greens will continue to watch closely to make sure Hydro follows through on this new commitment to transparency about their international work. No Tasmanian wants a publicly-owned company profiting from projects connected to human rights issues, negative impact on local communities, or environmental harms.
