Economy
Bryan Green: Liberal recklessness revealed on TT-Line
New documents released under Right to Information laws provide further evidence that TT-Line’s viability has been seriously undermined by the reckless interference of the Liberal Government.
Labor asked TT-Line for any advice provided to the Government on its policy to reduce fares on the Spirit of Tasmania by 20 per cent and the direction to ‘vacate the field’ on freight.
TT-Line declined the request on the basis of the following:
“Disclosure of the requested information would likely harm the economic development of the State as it would likely cause immediate detrimental impacts to TT-Line’s business. The flow on effects of this would likely include:
(i) loss of business for local suppliers
(ii) loss of employment for tourism providers as a result of reduced number of visitors
(iii) loss of employment for TT-Line employees
(iv) reduced access to the state for tourists
(v) reduced access for imported and exported good in the State”
Labor Leader, Bryan Green, said the only conclusion from the response was that TT-Line had been highly critical of the Government’s policies and that releasing that advice would further undermine confidence amongst passengers and exporters.
“The TT-Line assessment quite clearly shows concern that the Liberals’ plans could harm the state’s economy and risk jobs,” Mr Green said.
“It is now absolutely critical that the Minister, Rene Hidding, explain what he is doing to ensure the ongoing viability of one of Tasmania’s most critical businesses.
“It is also safe to conclude that taking special dividend from TT-Line – which has all but been confirmed by Mr Hidding – would financially cripple the business.”
Mr Green said the Minister also had serious explaining to do over revelations in the RTI documents that the TT-Line had no record of a request from government to reduce fares.
“TT-Line has no documentation or correspondence of a request to reduce fares by 20 per cent,” Mr Green said.
“This throws into serious doubt whether the Liberals’ ever intended to honour their promise which won them significant support at the last election.”