Media Release: Marinus Business Case Secrecy Stinks
Marinus Business Case Secrecy Stinks
Wednesday, 30 July 2025
Independent Member for Nelson Meg Webb confirmed she received a confidential departmental briefing on the Marinus Link Business Case today, describing the last-minute nature of the process as disturbing and tokenistic.
“The failure by the caretaker Liberal government to honour its commitment to release publicly the Marinus whole of-state business case prior to a decision being made is a blatant broken promise and a fundamental breach of faith with Tasmanians,” Ms Webb said.
“In 2023, then-Energy Minister Guy Barnett used a formal Ministerial Statement in Parliament undertaking that the Marinus business case would be completed, independently peer-reviewed and released publicly at least 30 days before a financial decision is due. That has not happened.
“The Premier repeated last week on radio the promise to release the business case. As we know, that still has not happened.”
Ms Webb said that sadly, the secrecy stench surrounding this caretaker Liberal Government continues to grow.
“Broken promises at any time, let alone on such a massive project that has serious long-term implications for our State and its finances, will continue to erode community trust in this Government
“I grappled with concerns about receiving a confidential briefing on matters which will have serious ramifications for my electorate but which I could not share with my electorate.
“However, on the basis that I have a responsibility as an elected representative to ensure I am as well informed as I can be, particularly on matters which may involve future decision, I did accept the briefing noting the confidentiality constraints required.
“Without breaching that confidentiality I can confirm that volumes of complex documentation were provided, which was impossible to assess or consider properly within the constrained timeframe, which made this already secretive process further farcical.”
Ms Webb urged the current Liberal caretaker Government to honour its promise made in the Parliament and to the Tasmanian people to release immediately both the Marinus whole-of-state business case and its independent peer review.
House of Assembly Hansard excerpt, 5 September 2023
Ministerial Statement delivered by the Energy Minister, the Hon Guy Barnett MP:
“It is important to note that the project is still subject to a whole-of-state business case and financial investment decision. The whole-of-state business case will consider the financial, economic and social impacts of Project Marinus and its associated energy projects and issues on Tasmania and the Tasmanian community. This work will be led by Treasury and will be prepared in the context of the information available at the time. The business case will be completed and independently peer-reviewed at least 30 days before a financial investment decision is due and will be made publicly available.”
