Media release – Michael Ferguson, Minister for Infrastructure, 26 August 2024
Statement from the Minister
Tasmanians are excited by the coming new Spirits but are rightfully confused and disappointed that the necessary berthing infrastructure has not been adequately prepared in proper time.
This morning, I provided the Parliamentary Accounts Committee with substantial details regarding the handling of the new Spirits and associated infrastructure project.
The record is clear as to how this situation has developed and the significant interventions that the Liberal Government has been forced to take in November, June and August to help TT-Line keep it on track.
This project is vital to Tasmania’s economic prosperity, and I am thankful for the work that has been undertaken to deliver it.
I recognise the impact of the delay in constructing the portside infrastructure and sincerely apologise to all Tasmanians for the disappointment that represents. My team and I truly tried to keep the project on track, but it proved impossible with actions taken during Caretaker rendering those efforts wasted.
In the absence of the Company owning up to this profoundly disappointing situation, as the former Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and current Minister for Infrastructure, I will.
The ongoing commentary concerning the project is proving an unnecessary distraction and I don’t want that to continue at the expense of a proper and disciplined focus on delivering the ships and the berths, as Tasmanians would expect.
Also, I cannot allow the Government to be distracted from the final preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 State Budget during a time of significant national economic headwinds affecting our state.
With all this in mind – and in the best interests of the project, the budget and the elected Government, I have today spoken with and written to the Premier recommending he undertake a reshuffle and offer to relinquish my responsibility as Minister for Infrastructure. I now believe this is the only way to end the blame game once and for all, and allow the right people to focus on the solution in a stable parliament.
I thank all those who have worked tirelessly on this project for many years as we close in on the new Spirits sailing proudly up the Mersey.
I am so grateful to have managed the billions in new infrastructure investment that has been delivered by our Liberal Government since 2019. Be it the COVID-19 infrastructure and construction blitz; the Bass Highway upgrades, the Midland Highway safety action plan, the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program, or my passion project, the new Bridgewater Bridge – these are all intergenerational assets that have been delivered right across the state that will set up our state for a very prosperous future. And there’s so much more to come in next month’s budget
I cannot praise more highly the wonderful people I have worked so closely with since 2019 in the Department of State Growth and the civil contracting industry for their incredible support, resilience and can-do attitude. I’ve appreciated so many great contributors in TasPorts, TasRail and TT-Line who believed in and implemented our plan. By working together we created an economic lifeline for Tassie and achieved so many new facilities and safer infrastructure for the people of our growing state.
My mission in serving Tasmanians as a deeply loyal member of our Liberal Party will never change and I look forward to delivering for our Tasmanian families, communities and businesses.
Federal Labor’s backdown on roads and bridges program
The Tasmanian Government welcomes the Federal Labor Government’s recent back-down on its unacceptable approach to funding for roads and bridges in Tasmania, and Australia more broadly.
After delivering its Infrastructure Investment Program Review in November 2023, which was delayed by months since the 90-day review was first announced in May 2023, the Australian Government has been attempting to bully states and territories into signing a new Land Transport Infrastructure National Partnership Agreement that would result in less investment in roads, rail and bridges across Australia.
From day one after the review was announced, I have fought to protect Tasmania’s interests as the traditional 80/20 contribution between the Australian and Tasmanian Governments has been key to delivering much-needed upgrades to roads and bridges across regional Tasmania.
This includes infrastructure upgrade programs that have and continue to be delivered on the Bass Highway, the Midland Highway, the Tasman Highway and many other projects which have only been possible because the Australian Government has contributed 80 per cent of the cost, consistent with its greater financial capacity.
The Australian Government saw fit to engage in stone-walling tactics on the new Agreement, insisting that it hard-wire in a clause that meant they would only contribute 50 per cent of the cost of future upgrades to the National Highway and other major road projects. What this meant is that there would have been less investment in safer and more reliable roads in regional and rural Tasmania.
In a shameful negotiating tactic that demonstrated a lack of good faith, the Australian Government was prepared to let the existing Agreement expire on 30 June, nearly two months ago, with the threat that payments for existing projects would be withheld unless states and territories agreed to their unreasonable demands. This was despite the fact that the existing Agreement could have been extended while negotiations continued between our governments.
Thanks to the strong efforts of state and territory Treasurers and Infrastructure Ministers, we have been able to stare down the Australian Government, and the clause that would have hard-wired a 50/50 arrangement in the new Agreement has now been withdrawn from the latest offer from the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Reginal Development and Local Government.
I am proud to have secured this outcome for Tasmania and I welcome that Minister King has seen sense and returned to the negotiating table with a reasonable offer, which the Tasmanian Government will now consider favourably.
Media release – Jeremy Rockliff, Premier, 26 August 2024
Statement from the Premier
Earlier today, the Deputy Premier offered to relinquish his role as Minister for Infrastructure, an offer that I accepted.
I wish to thank Michael for his tireless work and dedication in this portfolio.
I understand and sincerely appreciate his desire to end the distraction associated with the current challenges involving portside infrastructure for the arrival of new Spirits.
Under Michael’s leadership in the portfolio, we have delivered significant modern infrastructure right across our state.
Our major hospitals are being redeveloped, new schools are nearing completion, Tasmanians are driving on a new Midland Highway, and we have the Bridgewater Bridge well on its way to completion.
These are all complex projects; they present many challenges – but our Government delivers them.
And we will deliver the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, alongside the necessary port infrastructure.
It is my intention to take on the Infrastructure portfolio and continue to deliver our 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
Michael will continue as Deputy Premier and Treasurer and take on the portfolio of Small Business and Consumer Affairs.
Small business is the engine room of the state’s economy, and Michael will have a key focus on reducing red tape and ensuring Tasmania is the most small business friendly state in the nation.
Minister Madeleine Ogilvie will take on the additional Ministry of Science and Technology and continue the Government’s support of our tech sector entrepreneurs who are producing and operating some of the best and most innovative products in the world.
Our Government will continue its relentless focus on delivering for Tasmanians and ensuring our state continues to be the best place in Australia to live, work and raise a family.
Media release – Jacqui Lambie Network, 26 August 2024
Senator Lambie welcomes Fergusons’ removal from Infrastructure Portfolio
Senator Jacqui Lambie welcomes the announcement that Michael Ferguson will be replaced as Minister for Infrastructure.
All Ministers have a responsibility to the people of Tasmania to carry out their duties to the highest standard, and where that obligation can’t be met, they must be moved on.
Unfortunately, Mr Ferguson proved to be incompetent. He has a very odd view of what it means to be upfront and honest with the Tasmanian people.
Mr Ferguson’s rank incompetence surely suggests that he should also resign as Treasurer and move to the backbench so that the Premier can put someone in the job who can hopefully do the job.
While accountability and transparency may be foreign to the Liberal Party, they are fundamental values of the Jacqui Lambie Network. The JLN will continue to push the Liberal Party to put Tasmanians first, above its self-interest political motives.
People before politics, that’s the JLN mandate.
ANTARCTIC FUTURE IN JEOPARDY AS WHARF SAGA DRAGS ON
The JLN Member for Lyons, Andrew Jenner MP, has today called on the State Government and Tasports to work with the Commonwealth to upgrade Macquarie wharf 6 as a matter of urgency.
Mr Jenner said “This is an issue that has dragged on for months, putting Tasmania’s viability to operate as an Antarctic gateway at risk.
“Both the State government and Tasports need to pull their fingers out and expedite the port upgrades, or risk losing both the state’s reputation and millions of dollars in revenue.”
The Antarctic and Southern Ocean sector contributes more than $200 million a year to the state’s economy.
“The Eslake report has blown the lid off the state’s financial troubles in a monumental way – we cannot risk losing millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs because of the State Government’s inability to properly do its job.
“At the moment, the Government’s total focus appears to be on an unnecessary stadium at Mac Point, while essential infrastructure is being overlooked or ignored.
“The upgrades to wharf 6 must be given at least the same priority as what the Government is giving to the proposed stadium.
“This is just another example of a port infrastructure cock up from around the state.
“We heard from Sea Road about the issues in Devonport creating a serious risk of collision.
“I am pleased that Minister Ferguson has finally taken accountability for the multitude of port and berth debacles around the state and resigned from his role as Minister for Infrastructure. Let us hope the next Minister will be able perform where the previous Minister has failed.
“Had it not been for the JLN demanding accountability, who knows how many more stuff ups Tasmania would have suffered.”
Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, 26 August 2024
Spirits sink Ferguson
At this point, Labor are the only adults in the room.
Our focus is squarely on the economy and providing confidence for businesses and workers. We will continue to act responsibly in Parliament and in Tasmania’s best interests.
Jeremy Rockliff is a nice enough guy, but this is getting beyond a joke. He took Tasmania to an election more than a year early, saying it was all about restoring stability and certainty. Instead, he has completely lost control of his minority government, and nothing is getting done.
The new Spirits project has become the biggest infrastructure stuff up in Tasmania’s history. It is emblematic of what happens when a failing government is propped up by unstable and chaotic independents.
Now Michael Ferguson has been forced to resign his portfolio as Minister for Infrastructure, prompting a cabinet reshuffle just four months into the minority government’s term.
It is a stunning admission of failure from Michael Ferguson in yet another key portfolio.
But as Treasurer Michael Ferguson remains as one of the Shareholder Ministers overseeing TT-Line and TasPorts. His resignation as Infrastructure Minister has done nothing to get this critical economic project back on track.
And it begs the question – if his Spirits stuff up is justification for losing his infrastructure portfolio, shouldn’t the budget disaster he’s created see him held accountable in his Treasury portfolio too?
All of this chaos can’t be good for Tasmania. Jeremy Rockliff urgently needs to regain control of his government and start delivering for Tasmanians.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP, Greens Leader, 26 August 2024
Ferguson Resigns Infrastructure Portfolio, Still Set to Hand Down Brutal Budget
The Greens welcome Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson resigning from his Infrastructure portfolio.
He has failed to deliver on-time and on-budget infrastructure projects for Tasmanians, including the Spirit of Tasmania upgrades. Infrastructure isn’t just concrete, bricks and mortar, it’s about providing the services communities need.
The huge delays and cost blowouts to the port in Devonport will mean the new Spirits sail at much-reduced capacity. These delays, which Minister Ferguson oversaw, will cost Tasmanians millions.
The critical and long-promised redevelopment to the Royal Hobart Hospital is being slashed, yet the Rockliff Government is pushing ahead with its unpopular billion-dollar stadium.
Despite resigning his Infrastructure portfolio due to manifest blunders, Michael Ferguson still looks set to oversee a brutal budget as Treasurer, making cuts where Tasmanians need services most. His media statement to today confirmed the worst fears.
The Premier’s decision to take on Infrastructure is mindboggling, given his already overflowing workload.
Despite the restored seats in Parliament, and with additional ministers in the Cabinet than in the last term of government, the Premier still opted to take the portfolio on. It’s a sign of no-confidence in the trustworthiness of his other ministers.
Whatever the reshuffled portfolios look like today, we know one thing for sure – next month’s budget is going to hit vulnerable Tasmanians hardest.
