Hidding risks leaving King Island high and dry

• Minister unable to answer simple questions on freight service
• Residents and businesses raising genuine concerns
• No answers from Hidding on Easter service
Labor Member for Braddon Shane Broad has called on Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding to end the uncertainty facing King Island residents and businesses over the growing freight saga facing the island.
Dr Broad used his first questions in Question Time to ask the Minister concerns raised by King Islanders about:
• Whether the Investigator II, which is about a fifth the size of the ship it is replacing and has no undercover space for cargo, was fit for purpose
• How long the operator will cover a 20 per cent increase in costs to ship freight to and from King Island before it is passed on to locals
• Will the Minister guarantee food security over the Easter long weekend when residents and businesses warn that service will be delayed
“I asked Mr Hidding simple questions based on the concerns of residents but instead he delivered more confusion,” Dr Broad said.
“Rene Hidding’s lack of answers only raises more uncertainty for people on King Island.
“Labor asked simple questions about restrictions on freight and cost impacts on residents of the new Investigator II service that the Minister has had three years to prepare for – but it’s clear he’s been caught flat footed.
“There are genuine concerns that supermarkets on King Island could face stock shortages as they won’t be able to access goods that sail on Good Friday until Easter Tuesday because of issues with the new service.”
Shane Broad MP Labor Member for Braddon