Bryan Green: Spirit fares sail in wrong direction under Libs broken promise

Spirit of Tasmania fares have risen between 20 per cent and a whopping 87 per cent since the Liberals came to power.

Far from dropping by 20 per cent as promised, the fare hikes have been revealed in a conservative analysis of online travel quotes before and after the Liberals’ first 100 days in office. (Detailed below and in attached screenshots)

Labor Leader Bryan Green said the increases were another broken Liberal promise.

“After their tough talk before the election about setting Spirit prices, the Liberals have given up on their election promise,” Mr Green said.

“At best this power-drunk Government have been naïve about their ability to set prices.

“At worst they’ve lied to Tasmanian voters, particularly those on the North-West Coast, to get into power.

“It appears they are too busy celebrating their election win to actually deliver results.

“Do not forget that documents obtained by Labor under RTI showed no record of a request from government to reduce fares.

“It’s time for the Liberal Government to sober up from their celebrations and start delivering on their promises.

“Their honeymoon is over – this is simply not good enough.”

A simple analysis of online quotes shows that
• The day after the Liberal Party was sworn into office Labor priced the cost of a mid-week return trip for two on the Spirit of Tasmania (note attached April screen shot) and was quoted the following prices:

Deluxe cabin – $299
Twin cabin – $159
Shared Berth –114
Ocean Recliner – $60

• Now, after 100 days of Liberal Government, we have undertaken the same exercise pricing a mid-week return trip for two on the Spirit of Tasmania (note attached June screen shot) and been quoted the following prices:

Deluxe cabin – $391
Twin cabin – $195
Shared Berth –162
Ocean Recliner – $129

• These prices represent increases of between 20 per cent and 87 per cent
• The prices quoted the day after the Libs came to office were in high season, the prices quoted this week are in low season

NB: Had fares reduced by 20% the prices currently being quoted should be:
Deluxe cabin – $239
Twin cabin – $127.20
Shared Berth – $91.20
Ocean Recliner – $55.20
Bryan Green MP Labor Leader