Tasmania's councils have been spoiling for a fight with the Local Government Minister over the planned government takeover of TasWater.
The sledging in the lead up to today's Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT) annual conference has included allegations of slander and threats of legal action.
But despite being introduced as a man who holds a blackbelt in the martial art of taekwondo, the self-defence skills of Local Government Minister Peter Gutwein were not required.
The Government intends to take ownership of the Tasmanian water utility from the state's 29 councils next year, but most oppose the move.
The contentious issue was expected to cause fireworks at the LGAT conference, but the proceedings remained civil and during a question and answer opportunity Mr Gutwein was asked only one water question — and he also received a round of applause at the end of his speech.
Mr Gutwein used his address to tell councils they would have to "agree to disagree".
"Today I accept that we agree to disagree on the future direction and governance of TasWater," he said.
"Just because we disagree on this issue doesn't mean we can't continue to work together for the benefit of Tasmania."
During the break mayors gathered outside holding signs urging Mr Gutwein to work with them.
LGAT president Doug Chipman said councils would lobby MLCs, who will have the final say on whether a takeover happens.
"We don't believe the proposal from the State Government makes sense," he said.
"It doesn't stack up legally, it doesn't stack up from a financial point of view, and it doesn't stack up from a governance point of view."
Mr Chipman said the LGAT would not commit to campaigning against the Government or taking legal action against the move.
He said the association still believed the takeover was not legal.
No guarantees from Labor
Labor MP Madeleine Ogilvie also addressed delegates and said the Opposition would vote against the legislation in Parliament.
"It didn't need to come to this," she said.
But, the party is giving no guarantees it would return TasWater to councils if it won government.
"I don't believe this legislation will get through, firstly, if it does get through we will certainly be looking at if and how it could be resolved," Ms Ogilvie said.
The Tasmanian Greens have vowed to look closely at the legislation and have not yet decided how the party will vote.
