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Tasmania signs on to Marinus Link power cable project despite government caretaker period

Tasmania signs on to Marinus Link power cable project despite government caretaker period

Tasmanian Energy Minister Nick Duigan has confirmed the state has signed up to the multi-billion-dollar Marinus Link project.
Speaking to ABC Radio Hobart on Friday morning, Mr Duigan said he signed a new deal with the federal government on Thursday night.
"I'm very pleased to say that as of last night I was able to sign that new deal having received advice and that has resulted in a significantly better deal for Tasmania," he said.
The Marinus project will see a second underwater electricity cable and transmission line built in the Bass Strait between Victoria and Tasmania.
It is designed to give the mainland greater reciprocal access to Tasmania's renewable energy resources.
The state government has yet to release the business case for the project, despite earlier in the year promising to release it 30 days before a final investment decision.
The decision to sign onto the project comes during the caretaker period almost two weeks after a state election in which no party has yet formed a new government.
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