CHAIR (Mrs Petrusma) - Members, the time scheduled for the scrutiny is until 1 p.m. I welcome the minister, chair and CEO to the committee. Minister, please introduce the people at the table for the purposes of Hansard.
Mr BARNETT - Madam Chair, it is a pleasure to be here. I am joined by Mary O'Kane, the Chair of Aurora Energy; Rebecca Kardos, the CEO; Grant Russell, the Chief Operating Officer; and Kane Ingham, the General Manager, People and Commercial Services.
CHAIR - Minister, would you like to make a brief statement, keeping in mind that we only have a short period of time.
Mr BARNETT - It is a pleasure to be at the Aurora Energy GBE. As the Energy minister, I am excited to be working with Aurora Energy to implement the Tasmanian Government's Tasmania First energy policy. You have heard me speak about it and you know how excited I am. It is all about driving lower energy electricity prices, wherever possible, and empowering people and businesses in Tasmania with the information and tools they need to manage their energy costs, focusing on the customer. You will hear about that from Aurora Energy during the course of this inquiry.
Our Government has capped electricity prices, which has been in effect for a number of years, at no more than CPI, with cost of living and cost of doing business being a top priority of our Government. There has been a solid performance in the 12 months, with a $44.5 million underlying profit and the $14.8 million in returns to the Tasmanian Government. The Energy Ombudsman's report has been delivered in recent days showing a reduction in complaints. That is encouraging. The highlight of the year was the Energy Charter being signed. It is the only Tasmanian organisation to have committed to that.
The YES program, Your Energy Support program, is very supportive of our vulnerable customers and it is working very effectively. I won't go into the TEELS program or the NILS program but we are reaching out to ensure energy efficiency, supporting those doing it tough in Tasmania with funding support. Our on-farm energy policy is supporting agriculture, which is a key part of our economy in Tasmania. Aurora Energy is reaching out to not-for-profit organisations providing wonderful support for community groups around Tasmania; 80 different organisations. If there was an opportunity for the Chair and/or the CEO to provide an opening remark, it would be appreciated from Aurora Energy's point of view.
CHAIR - I remind members about the practice of seeking additional information of GBEs. The question must be agreed to be taken by the minister or the chair of the board, and the question must be handed in writing to this committee's secretary.
Mr BARNETT - Chair, could the Chair share some opening remarks on behalf of Aurora Energy?
CHAIR - Only very brief, keeping in mind that it is already 11.08 a.m.
Prof O'KANE - I am pleased to appear before the committee as Chair of Aurora Energy. I have been in that role for just over a year. We are proud of our achievements in 2018-19, set against ongoing developments and the challenges both locally and nationally in the external environment.
As is well known, the National Electricity Market, the NEM, is in a period of disruption and rapid change as new renewal energy generation enters the system. Operating within this environment, Aurora Energy remains focused on creating and delivering value for our customers. That is why we are proud to become a founding signatory of the Energy Charter the minister mentioned and the only Tasmanian organisation to sign up so far. The charter is focused on delivering energy in line with community expectations and the board is committed to the principles of the charter, designed to put the customer at the centre of our business, which we hope we do.
The roll out of Aurora Pay As You Go + also demonstrated this commitment by delivering an innovative way for Tasmanians to manage their energy. The development of Aurora PAYG+ was recognised both locally and nationally, with the new digital product claiming a Tasmanian iAward as well as being named the top 10 in its category in the 2019 Australian Financial Review BOSS Most Innovative Companies.
In the community, where everyone in Aurora lives and works, we continue to support Tasmanians via a range of investments and partnerships. Our backing of the nation's transition to renewable energy hit a milestone with the first of the 48 wind turbines being erected at Capital Hill Wind Farm located in the Central Highlands coming online. Aurora is the only Tasmanian energy retailer investing in large-scale renewable energy projects in the state. Through it, we are supporting economic growth together with the Tasmanian Government's goal of being 100 per cent renewable by 2022.
Through our community program we delivered our second round of community grants designed to assist to deliver projects or programs that make a difference in the lives of Tasmanians. We also launched new partnerships with organisations such as the Council on the Ageing Tasmania in a bid to empower older Tasmanians with digital knowledge and skills to more confidently engage in the computer world. In the next phase of Aurora Energy, we will build on all these wonderful initiatives as the business embarks on a customer-led journey guided by its new strategy, which we developed this year. I look forward to embracing the next phase to further enhance both the work Aurora Energy is doing and the value for customers as we 'reimagine Tasmania's energy experience', to use our tagline. Thank you.
Mr O'BYRNE - Minister, your rhetoric about Tasmanian energy prices has been very clear over the last few years. You have said that we'll have 'the lowest' energy prices in Tasmania. You've recently changed that to 'one of the lowest' in the state. Why did you change that language?
Mr BARNETT - Thank you for the question. It is excellent to have the opportunity to speak about our energy policy, which is to focus on costs of living and doing business as a top priority. As we have been saying for a number of years, and it has been entirely consistent, by 2022 our target is to have the lowest regulated electricity prices in Australia for both residential customers and business customers. That remains our objective - by 2022. It is now 2019. We are delighted to advise that we are among the lowest in Australia for both regulated residential customers and regulated business customers. Energy Consumers Australia, in their report based on 30 June 2019, said that for business customers, medium-sized business customers, we are the lowest in Australia.
Mr O'BYRNE - Are you preparing the ground to walk away from the commitment of the lowest energy prices, because your language has changed in the last six months?
Mr BARNETT - The language hasn't changed in the last six months. Our language is entirely consistent. Our target has always been to have the lowest regulated electricity prices for residential customers and for regulated business customers in Australia by 2022. We are tracking very well. We are amongst the lowest. There is more work to do.
Mr O'BYRNE - The Chair referred to the disruption occurring in the National Electricity Market. Could you update the committee on the process you are undertaking to delink from the wholesale electricity prices in Victoria and the steps you are taking?
Mr BARNETT - Yes, we have a process in place, which is open to the public. The public has had an opportunity to have their say and that process, that investigation, is ongoing. It's being led by Treasury and we are very pleased with the work taking place.
We've had submissions and reports, including from EMPCA, a consultancy expert adviser, in terms of the wholesale pricing framework. That report was made available earlier this year, with an options paper put up on the Treasury website on 12 March 2019. Submissions were received from a range of stakeholders and that work is ongoing.
Mr O'BYRNE - Where are you at? Are you still committing to that policy, to get a link, by the date you have outlined?
Mr BARNETT - Yes, 2022.
Mr O'BYRNE - When will we see legislation in the parliament?
Mr BARNETT - There is a lot of work to do. The Treasury is leading that work and that investigation. As I say, it has been open to the public with a consultancy made available in March this year for feedback on the options, looking through the options. We will consider those options. We will consider the report from Treasury and have a whole-of-government approach to ensure downward pressure on electricity prices, wherever possible. That's our objective, that's our target. It is a key hallmark of our Tasmania First energy policy. We are proud of it and we are delivering.
Dr WOODRUFF - Power costs, power bills, for many Tasmanians are still the most expensive part of the household bill, particularly over winter. I understand that Aurora provides different options for people, customers, who are struggling to pay their bills. Could you please tell me how many requests for payment extensions have been made this year to date, and last year? How many of those were rejected, if any?
Mr BARNETT - Thank you for the question. I note and acknowledge your views with respect to and on behalf of vulnerable Tasmanians, in fact all Tasmanians. Electricity costs in terms of cost of living is a really important issue. That is why, as a government, we have every policy lever possible to keep the cost of living down, and electricity prices are part of that. That is why we put in those cappings, CPI as a maximum. We have been achieving that and will continue to do so in the lead up to 2022.
Your question about vulnerable Tasmanians doing it tough, particularly in winter time, is a really good point. We have amongst the most generous concessions in all of Australia for those who are doing it tough. In fact, we have more than 90 000 Tasmanians who receive concessions of some sort with an estimated $45 million of government assistance to support those vulnerable Tasmanians.
With respect to your specific question, I will pass to the CEO to respond. I indicate that we have a YES program which is a very effective program, specifically supporting vulnerable Tasmanians. I have been to Aurora Energy. I have met with the YES program coordinators. They do a great job reaching out and helping Tasmanians manage their electricity bills in the best way possible.
Regarding the specifics and the operational matter, through you Chair, I will pass to the CEO.
Mrs KARDOS - Thank you, minister. Payment arrangements is one of many ways that we support Tasmanians with their energy bills. I will get Grant Russell, our Chief Operating Officer, because he will have the actual specific numbers that you have requested.
Mr RUSSELL - The total number of payment plans put in place in 2018-19 was 106 000. That was an increase of 3.2 per cent on the prior year.
Dr WOODRUFF - A 3.2 per cent increase? Thank you.
Mr RUSSELL - Increase, yes. Also the number of customers paying via Centrelink directly increased by 6.7 per cent to 9198.
Dr WOODRUFF - Through you, minister, that is in addition to the 1060 who asked for an extension of payment? There were the Centrelink ones -
Mr RUSSELL - Centrelink payments themselves were 9198.
Dr WOODRUFF - They are an extension, or they are just through Centrelink?
Mr RUSSELL - They will actually make an arrangement direct from Centrelink. It will come out via Centrelink, direct from their payment to us. The number of payment arrangements created was 106 191.
Dr WOODRUFF - Through you, minister, the second part of that questions was, are extension requests ever rejected? Do people request long-term payment plans?
Mr BARNETT - Thanks very much for the question. I will pass to the CEO, or to Grant.
Mr RUSSELL - Payment extensions are available to all, so there are a long-term payment extensions and short-term, it varies. Those are available to all; they are not rejected in the first instance. Standard process is to work with the customer to make an arrangement which works for them. At times those arrangements will fail. If those arrangements fail, then we will look at other options, including moving the customer into the YES program and actually helping them that way.
Mr BARNETT - Chair, to assist the member, if you could provide a brief summary of the YES program so the committee is aware of how effective that is?
Mrs KARDOS - The YES program was established in 2014 recognising the specific circumstances given our cool climate, our reliance on energy, that not all of our building stock is necessarily well designed for our cool climate. Also, for the majority of our customers, electricity is their sole source of being able to heat their homes. We designed the YES program taking into account the specific circumstances of Tasmania. We have supported more than 9600 customers since the inception of that program. I will get Grant to go through the specifics of the program and why it has been so successful to date.
Mr RUSSELL - It is worth stating that last financial year, 52.8 per cent of participants successfully completed the program. That means they exited the program. They were no longer being case managed because they had got on top of their arrears and on top of their consumption. We work with customers to bring down the consumption and therefore make energy more affordable, as much as we can, through energy audits, practical steps that they can take around the premises. So 4333 have completed the program since we initiated the program.
Mrs RYLAH - Minister, you mentioned that there are 90 000 vulnerable Tasmanians in our state. My interest in this one is, how does Aurora Energy ensure the transition of the Aurora Pay As You Go customers to new products to make it as smooth as possible?
Mr BARNETT - Thanks for the question. The PAYG move has been really important, that transition process, and I am happy to pass to the CEO shortly, but the customer service team is very proactive. They are out there making a difference and transferring one of the many other energy products on offer and getting it to the customers to make sure that it best suits their needs. It is a choice for the customer at the end of the day.
I can advise that there has been a gradual approach that has been undertaken to that transition to PAYG. As at 13 November, 19 432 have completed those meter exchanges as part of the Aurora PAYG transition. Close to half of the customers selected Aurora PAYG+ which is a particular program. It is a very innovative way. It is putting customers at the centre of how they use their energy, when they get their electricity, how they use it and the best way to use it so that they can be very energy efficient in the way they use their electricity. It is a terrific program and I have seen it firsthand and I'm looking forward to becoming more appraised of it in the months and years ahead.
Aurora Energy is listening to the customers and responding to the customers. They are making those options available. In addition, the Chair indicated in her opening remarks they have received a national award for that, the iAward. That is fantastic. They are in the top 10 in this category in the 2019 Australian Financial Review BOSS most innovative companies award. It is a great credit to Aurora Energy for the work that they have done.
They collaborate with organisations like the Council on the Ageing, 26TEN, Anglicare, those sorts of organisations, to provide that support to those vulnerable Tasmanians. We are pleased and proud of Aurora Energy's efforts in this regard. It is a particular program and they are very proactive in that space. We have come a long way and there is still more work to do, but it is one of the successes of Aurora Energy.
Ms OGILVIE - Welcome everyone. Thank you for coming along -
Mr O'BYRNE - Chair, just as a point of clarification, I am not wanting to speak over the top of Madeleine, and I apologise. Just to clarify with the rotation of questions. It is two for the Opposition, one for the Greens, one for the Government. So, with the extra question, because this is the first time that we have come across this circumstance, does that mean that the Greens do not get a question and the Government does not get a question? It is just an extra question on top.
CHAIR - No, it is on top but then it would go up to you. In accordance with the resolution agreed to by the House members who have been appointed as members of the committee, procedures of the questions, but not more than two in succession.
Mr O'BYRNE - So the rotation reduces for the Opposition? Thank you. I just wanted to clarify the rotation.
Ms OGILVIE - It is a pleasure to be here today as the first Independent in the House in 21 years. I am very grateful to be able to ask some questions of our good friends from Aurora.
I am very pleased to be asking, on behalf of local businesses, questions around consultancies. If I could refer you to page 31 of the annual report, I am particularly interested to know, because I am not clear, whether the Buy Local policy of the Government sits across GBEs as well or not. In particular, if you look at the six major consultancies that are specified in the table headed 'Consultancies valued at more than $50 000' we see there was $1 261 461 allocated and only one of those was to a Hobart-based business.
Mr BARNETT - It's on page 31?
Ms OGILVIE - Yes, in the hard copy. It is obviously spelt out in quite some detail. I am interested to know what is causing procurement to go interstate. Is there a lack of services, competencies or capability in our business sector in those areas that we could be filling, or is there something else we could be doing to address that concern?
Mr BARNETT - That is an excellent question. You have a history of supporting small business -
Ms OGILVIE - I do.
Mr BARNETT - and obviously your local community. As a Government we have a history of supporting small business. There are now more small businesses in Tasmania, more than 37 000 since we were first elected, employing more than 100 000 Tasmanians. Our Tasmania First energy policy is consistent with our local jobs policy wherever possible. The Treasurer, who has recently been at the table, has promulgated that. We support that as a government across government and it applies to Aurora Energy, so thank you for asking that question.
With regard to the specifics I will see if the CEO can answer that particular question on page 31 of the annual report. Thank you for drawing that to my attention.
Mrs KARDOS - Thank you for the question. Aurora Energy has a procurement policy which is published on our website. We support Buy Local. It is one of the key criteria we use whenever we are engaging. You will also note, I think it is on the same page, that 95.6 per cent of the services we procured in 2018-19 were from Tasmanian businesses.
Ms OGILVIE - Is that the $50 000 or less category?
Mrs KARDOS - That would have been, but they could be services. Consultancies are quite distinct from services. The large bulk of our services are sourced from local companies, hence the more than 95 per cent. As to the specifics, if they were looking for a specific consultancy which may not necessarily be available here, we would have opened it up in most cases to local companies, but if that specific advice or knowledge isn't available locally we will source it from other areas of Australia.
Mr O'BYRNE - There are plenty of IT companies in Tassie.
Ms OGILVIE - A supplementary, if I may?
CHAIR - No, you actually asked two questions as part of that.
Mr O'BYRNE - I was going to touch on that but I might go back to it later. In terms of the Pay As You Go + rollout, 19 December has been given as the drop-dead date for people to transfer across. How many people are still outstanding? We know that the vast majority of people on PAYG are very low-income Tasmanians and it has been a method of payment that has been managed -
CHAIR - Sorry, we are having microphone issues again.
Mr O'BYRNE - No dramas. PAYG is a method of payment that low-income Tasmanians use regularly and rely on very heavily. How many people are yet to transfer across from PAYG to PAYG+ and what is the plan for those low-income Tasmanians come 20 December?
Mr BARNETT - Let me just give you a bit of summary. I have obviously answered the question from Mrs Rylah, a very good question, regarding Aurora Pay As You Go and the success we have had through that. Approximately 20 000 Tasmanians with existing prepayment meters will have their meters replaced by December 2019. This is because the existing prepayment meter infrastructure is reaching end of life and that has been part of the plan. As of 15 November, 9342 customers had chosen the PAYG+ product and it is anticipated that a switch to PAYG+, including the daily fee, will be a more affordable option for the majority of customers with the old prepayment meters. That is certainly supported by the recent analysis by the Tasmanian Economic Regulator in August standing offer price comparison report, which indicated PAYG+ customers would have cheaper electricity bills than customers on the traditional prepayment meter product. Regarding other operational matters, I will pass to the CEO.
Mrs KARDOS - Grant will probably be able to give the latest numbers because he is closest to the project, but in terms of the product transition, I think we have just over 900 customers left to transition. We have made over 130 000 direct contacts over the year to engage with customers to discuss with them their options, because they do not have to go onto PAYG+. There is a range of options available to those customers, so we have been actively working with them, assisting them in making the decisions around what those options are. I will hand over to Grant to provide an update on what the most recent numbers are, but I think it is close to 900. Is that correct?
Mr RUSSELL - By the end of this week we should be down to around 400 meters still to be exchanged.
Mr O'BYRNE - Down to 400 - that is a good turnaround in a couple of days.
Mr RUSSELL - We are doing roughly 500 meters a week, so we can actually do the schedule for this week. Some of them will have return visits. The key part we are doing is maintaining supply. The whole focus coming up to Christmas is maintaining supply for customers, so where there is a vacant premises and we can't get access, we have a whole range of workarounds in place so that if somebody moves in on Christmas Eve we can ensure we get supply to that premises. That has been the focus: ensuring nobody goes without power, and we have put a heck of a lot of activity into ensuring that, to the extent that we doorknock premises when we can't get a contact or find somebody. We have used the list, we have gone to rental agencies, we have worked with Housing Tasmania, so we think we have as good data as possible. At this time point in time there are possibly 75 premises where we are unsure of the actual status of the occupancy so we are doorknocking those premises to try to find the householder and work with them to ensure there are no issues.
Mr O'BYRNE - For those who don't fill out the paperwork and transfer across, what happens to them on 24 December?
Mr BARNETT - Thank you for the question, Mr O'Byrne, and through you, Chair, I will pass to Grant.
Mr RUSSELL - For those customers we can't contact we have an emergency protocol in place whereby an after-hours service effectively is established, so their PAYG unit will still work for them. We put a workaround in place that enables them to obtain supply, so if you move into a premises on 24 December, for example, you will be able to contact us, say there is no power and then you go to TasNetworks after our service. There is an emergency number for them to contact one of our field crew to refer back to that premises, so they will have same-day service.
Mr O'BYRNE - Minister, what is the cost of PAYG+ to the resident?
Mr BARNETT - It is 11 cents per day - $40 a year.
Mr O'BYRNE - What is the cost of the install?
Mr BARNETT - To Aurora Energy?
Mr O'BYRNE - No, to the customer.
Mr BARNETT - I think you are talking about the meter rather than PAYG+.
Mr O'BYRNE - Sorry, the meter. PAYG+ needs technology at the house. In the changeover of technology, what is the cost to the resident or owner?
Mrs KARDOS - If it is the new advanced meter that is required, there is no cost for the replacement of the existing PAYG meter, and for the installation of the new advanced meter -
Mr O'BYRNE - So there is no cost at all?
Mr BARNETT - There is no establishment cost. There is an 11 cents per day cost for PAYG+, which is about $40 a year.
Dr WOODRUFF - Minister, following up on PAYG+ and that 11 cents a day cost, and looking at the alternative options that people are offered, in light of what Grant said earlier that there has been an increase across people on Centrelink who get their electricity bills paid - it's gone up 6 per cent and there's been an increase in people who have payment extensions, and more people are struggling to pay power bills - is it the case that the people are paying $40 a year to Aurora just to get the app for the Pay As You Go +? Is that what it's for?
Mr BARNETT - The Aurora Pay As You Go + provides them practical and easy ways to manage their electricity to try to be very energy efficient. I think it's a very good scheme. It gives them the tools that they can use to use electricity at a certain time of day and in a certain part of the home to keep their costs as low as possible and also be energy efficient. Yes, there is a cost for the 11 cents a day, which provides an opportunity to use the app accordingly. It empowers the consumer, and this is one thing I've shared with Aurora Energy: there is a focus for the Government and for me as minister on consumer empowerment wherever possible to give consumers the tools they need.
As to more specific parts of that question, I will see if the CEO can add to that answer.
Mrs KARDOS - It's really important to know that we provide our customers with a range of product choices depending on their specific needs. For some customers, Pay As You Go + may not be the choice. We have close to 10 000 customers who have chosen the Pay As You Go + product and the feedback we have from customers is that they really value the empowerment and the information that product gives them. The information that it gives them allows them the visibility of when they're using energy, and the opportunity to move that energy into peak or off-peak periods. As a result, for 11 cents a day they can probably find far greater savings. That's that product for that group of customers. We have a number of other products which may suit other customers better. Hence, if a customer doesn't want to pay that 11 cents a day, we have alternatives for them to choose from.
Dr WOODRUFF - Thank you, Mrs Kardos. I am confused. I have had apps from other banking companies, other electricity companies, when I've lived interstate, but I've never been charged a continuing amount. I am just wondering, Pay As You Go + is for the poorest people; this is who needs to take advantage of this service. Is there another way for people to recharge under Pay As You Go + so that they don't have to spend $40 a year? It sounds inconsequential to those of us at this table, but for some people on Newstart, that is basically a week's amount of income. It is a very high cost. Is there an option to do that online?
Mr BARNETT - There's two parts to my answer to your question. It is a good point to make. Every dollar counts, particularly for vulnerable Tasmanians and $40 a year is important, so we don't discount that in any way, shape or form.
Based on the independent advice, the feedback, which I provided earlier, is that it is a very cost effective way to manage one's electricity. The Tasmanian Economic Regulator in the August report said that Pay As You Go + customers would have lower electricity bills than customers on the traditional prepayment metered products. The point the CEO has made, and that I made earlier, is that it is still a matter of choice. They can use other traditional forms of paying for their electricity so they don't have to use the app if they don't wish to.
The second part of my answer -
Dr WOODRUFF - That was my question, I suppose: can they do it online instead of using the app and still use Pay as You Go + without having to pay for the app?
Mr BARNETT - I will pass to the CEO to answer that part of the question. The second part of my answer is, I think you indicated earlier a large increase in vulnerable customers. We have an estimated 90 000 who benefit from our concessions of $45 million per year from the Tasmanian budget. The taxpayers are supporting those vulnerable Tasmanians. As a Government we are going beyond the call wherever possible to support our vulnerable Tasmanians. It is recognised across Australia as one of the most generous concession schemes. We work with TasCOSS and others to ensure that we are as proactive as possible to support vulnerable Tasmanians. I will pass to the CEO for the other part of the answer.
Mrs KARDOS - Just a point of clarification, Pay As You Go and Pay As You Go + customers aren't necessarily vulnerable customers. Pay As You Go customers, based on our research, cover the entire spectrum of the Tasmanian customer base. It is important not to assume that if you are on Pay As You Go, you are a vulnerable customer. That is a key point of clarification.
Dr WOODRUFF - A person on a concession would be able to be absent from having to pay that cost then? I recognise the point you are trying to make and you are obviously trying to recoup costs, but we are talking about the prospect that it is a bit miserly to be taking $40 per year for an app. If people are really struggling, is that something that would be waived?
Mr BARNETT - I will answer that question and then I will pass to the CEO. It is really a point of cost-benefit to the customer. Wherever possible, we want the benefits to outweigh the costs. There is very strong evidence to say that the benefits outweigh the costs when it comes to an app but at the end of the day it is a choice for the customer. The CEO might wish to add to that answer.
Dr WOODRUFF - Only if there is an alternative online.
Mrs KARDOS - The underpinning tariff for Pay As You Go + is tariff 93, which is the time of use tariff. A customer can choose to be tariff 93 and use Aurora Online, which has no product service fee associated with it. There are viable alternatives available to customers who have affordability concerns around paying that 11 cents per day.
Mr TUCKER - What is Aurora Energy doing to support the National Electricity Market's transition to renewable energy?
Mr BARNETT - Thank you for the question. They are doing a lot. They are a key part of the Tasmania First energy plan, which we are so proud of having the low-cost reliable clean energy in Tasmania that the rest of the nation wants and the rest of the world wants. In terms of being part of that future, Aurora Energy had a power purchase agreement with the Cattle Hill Windfarm, Goldwind. They have nearly completed, in fact the announcement is this Friday; we will be there this Friday to say it is up and running and feeding into the grid; 63 000 households will benefit in terms of the equivalent of that electricity outcome from the Cattle Hill Windfarm with 48 turbines, a $300 million development.
What that means is jobs in rural Tasmania, in the Central Highlands in this case, in the wonderful Lyons electorate, as the member knows and we are so proud of, and employing Tasmanians.
In that project at Cattle Hill Windfarm, the Haywards played a role in the massive towers; Hazell Bros and Gradco were involved in the roadworks and civil construction. Hazell Bros has done a terrific job, as has Gradco, employing Tasmanians, here in Tasmania. 'Buy local' came up from the member for Clark earlier. Again, they are playing their part in that new future for Tasmania. I have a positive view of the prospects for Tasmania with three renewable energy zones.
Aurora Energy is playing its part in delivering those outcomes for Tasmania in terms of jobs, keeping downward pressure on electricity prices and providing opportunities to export our excess energy to the mainland, opening up and unlocking mass
