Following widespread power outages that affected thousands of Tasmanians, an independent MP has moved for a review into the response of state-owned line operator TasNetworks.
The call for an investigation by Craig Garland was backed in parliament on Wednesday by Labor, the Greens and Independent David O’Byrne.
Garland said many of the frustrated customers who have been without power for over a week since the severe weather event are located in his electorate of Braddon in the north-west.
“This frustration is not just about the delay in getting power restored, it’s also about the inadequate communication from TasNetworks with their customers,” Garland said.
“They have left their customers in the dark, literally and figuratively.”
“I have heard some harrowing accounts from people who were without power over that time, particularly from vulnerable elderly people or those with significant health conditions.”
“It was the not knowing that really angered people and left them frightened.”
The independent review will focus on contingency planning, incident management and the timely restoration of electricity supply.
It will also examine TasNetworks’ communication with affected customers during and after the event and their procedures for identifying and prioritising restoration efforts.
Garland said he is hopeful recommendations will be made to improve TasNetworks’ performance in future events.
