Motion – Legislative Council Select Committee Inquiry into TasWater

Ms WEBB (Nelson) – Mr President, I thank the member for McIntyre for bringing the motion forward. I think it will be no surprise to members that I am very supportive of our role of scrutiny. It is one that is central to the role of this place and the members in it. We have discussed it in depth of late, under slightly different circumstances, but many of the aspects discussed at that time are probably highly relevant here, as we have heard echoed here today.

I agree broadly with comments made about the range of methods that can be brought to bear in scrutiny. They all play a really important role and, in fact, are quite complementary to each other. While we may have available already the ability to ask questions on this topic during question time or to interrogate certain matters through GBEs and the like, inquiries are a really important way to drill down and get detailed and comprehensive information discussed, presented, interrogated and made a matter of public record. I am very supportive of that role.

I have listened with interest to members’ contributions, and I think a case has been well made for many of the matters covered by the terms of reference to be looked at in that way and to have that level of comprehensive examination made of them.

The member for McIntyre made the case well for bringing this committee proposal to this Chamber for consideration. This brings us to the matter of timing. It has been picked up on already by other members but I am going to speak briefly about it.

We received the letter from TasWater, from which I took quite clearly a willingness and, in fact, a welcoming of scrutiny and a recognition of the value it has. I noted the concerns that TasWater raised; to me, they seem largely to relate to timing so that, to me, is a major consideration here for us to look at too.

I know some members have spoken about the idea that, although we are still fairly squarely in the COVID-19 period, we have to move on. We cannot stop for this kind of work. Members will not be surprised to hear that I agree with that in a broad sense. When looking at a committee of inquiry not long ago, a key part of that discussion was the fact that we can continue work in this place on important matters, particularly in regard to scrutiny. That is the job we are here to do.

I find it puzzling that not two weeks ago when we discussed providing scrutiny of, and assistance to, matters occurring now in the context of COVID-19, we were not able to get full support around the idea that was our appropriate role and one we could take forward. We were not able to have the Government agree that could be a worthwhile contribution undertaken by our parliament, which is a shame.

I feel that to make it an argument that we cannot undertake a fundamental part of our role on one matter that is directly relevant to the circumstances occurring at the time, and then, not two weeks later, make the argument that we can do that on a matter which is important but can be delayed beyond this time is surprisingly inconsistent from some members here. I am disappointed about that retrospectively and it gives me pause. We need consistency here. I firmly support our role for committees of inquiry and the scrutiny that provides, the ability it gives us to have matters on the public record, and the contribution that can make to good governance. I think this committee could be undertaken at a later date, as argued and presented by the member for Mersey and referred to by the member for Hobart.

I will support it happening if the committee is formed and decides to take timing into consideration in its activities as it goes forward. That would be thoughtful and I think there would be a willingness amongst the members to do that. I encourage them to do that.

I will support this committee because I am consistent in my view that the importance of scrutiny by us in this place is really paramount. I hope in future we can have a consistent approach to that and other matters too.

Motion moved by Ms RATTRAY (McIntyre)

That a Select Committee be appointed, with power to send for persons and papers, with leave to sit during any adjournment of the Council, and with leave to adjourn from place to place, to inquire into and report upon the operations of TasWater with particular reference to:-

• the impact of compliance with regulated bodies;
• operations in regard to the impact on business required to comply with Trade Waste regulations;
• the opportunity for re-use water expansion for irrigation;
• the management of sewage treatment including the disposal of the treated waste biosolids;
• the effect of TasWater’s dividend policy on Local Government revenue;
• the delivery and timeliness of water services to Tasmanian communities;
• the effectiveness of business operations since the State Government became a shareholder in early 2019;
• the impact of COVID-19 on business operations; and
• any other matters incidental

And that – Mr Armstrong; Mr Dean; Ms Lovell; and the Mover be of the Committee.

More parliamentary speeches by Hon Meg Webb MLC