The Hodgman Liberal Government is working to create a better business environment in Tasmania to attract investment and create jobs.
Our international shipping plan was developed when the previous service was withdrawn, which could only be described as a market failure.
We always said our commitment was to provide short-term funding to establish a new, sustainable service to give Tasmanian exporters affordable access to markets.
Today’s welcome announcement by the Australian Government that it will extend the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to all northbound freight has changed the landscape and will no doubt be considered carefully by Swire.
We have been working in good faith with Swire under the terms of an MOU, and it would be grossly irresponsible to walk away from that without allowing Swire to finalise its work on the potential for a new international shipping service.
The ball is now in Swire’s court; and we respect the company’s work to determine whether there is sufficient demand to introduce a new international service.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Infrastructure
