Spirit of Tasmania Replacement Contract

Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, 10 September 2020

Nothing new in latest Labor whinge

Nothing new has been said today about the Spirit of Tasmania replacement vessels.

The fact remains that the Government is taking prudent action in the replacement of the Spirit of Tasmania vessels.

The world has changed significantly since the previous shipbuilders were shortlisted. With an estimated 1500 jobs to be created, it would be negligent of us not to explore opportunities for at least some of those jobs to go to Tasmanians and Australians.

It is shocking to see David O’Byrne, Shane Broad and Labor continuing to aggressively campaign against Australian industry capability – especially given the significant interest from both Tasmanian and Australian companies we’ve seen already.

We will always back Tasmanian and Australian jobs, and we look forward to the recommendations of the Taskforce.

Media release – Shane Broad MP, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 10 September 2020

‘Spirits’ willing but government says no

Peter Gutwein’s chaotic decision making and divisions with the TT-Line board have been laid bare in the Public Accounts Committee this morning.

Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said the committee heard revelations the contract to replace the Spirit of Tasmania vessels had been negotiated and was due to be signed in mid-July.

“Literally at the 11th hour Peter Gutwein announced on July 21 he was pulling the contract – throwing the entire process into chaos,” Dr Broad said.

“The TT-Line spent millions searching for the best option to replace the ageing Spirit of Tasmania ships and it’s clear they remain committed to the original proposal.

“The divisions between the government and its own Business Enterprise are unprecedented and it is Tasmanian taxpayers who will pay the price.

“TT-Line says it expects passenger demand to snap back strongly post-COVID and freight is already at capacity.

“There has never been a more important time to add more capacity to Bass Strait, but the government is delaying replacing the existing vessels until 2028.

“This is the Gutwein government playing Russian roulette with the future of our tourism and freight sectors, ignoring expert advice from its own board and demonstrating again its inability to deliver on major infrastructure projects.”