The Liberal Government has put to an end a costly and embarrassingly drawn-out saga of the former Labor-Green Government’s making with the sale of the former Police Vessel Fortescue.
The Fortescue proved to be an almost $2 million white elephant; a vessel not fit-for-purpose that was taken out of service due to problems that arose almost as soon as it was launched.
In an effort to recoup at least some of the public funds wasted by Labor and the Greens, the Liberal Government put the vessel on the market.
Today, we can announce the vessel has been sold and arrangements are now being made by the buyers to transport it to Western Australia.
The sale price of $250,000 (including GST) has ultimately been determined by the market, and while it was fractionally below what we were seeking, this is a good outcome for Tasmanian taxpayers as it has ended the waste.
The funds received will now be directed towards a boat that works for its intended purposes of enforcing our laws offshore and rescuing those in danger.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management
