Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Transport; Michael Ferguson, Treasurer, 15 August 2024
Interim Chair of TT-Line
Mr Damian Bugg AM KC will serve as the interim Chair of TT-Line.
Mr Bugg has served on the Board of TT-Line since 2019.
Mr Bugg will continue to be supported by the Tasmanian Government, and the Board.
We are confident that the project can now move forward, and we look forward to soon welcoming the new Spirits into the waters of the Mersey.
Helen Burnet MP, Greens Infrastructure spokesperson, 15 August 2024
Minister Ferguson Is Responsible For Spirits Saga
Minister for Infrastructure Michael Ferguson can try all he likes to avoid responsibility for the Spirits of Tasmania saga, but there is now a real cloud over his position.
Given this project is worth hundreds of millions of dollars of taxpayer funds, and is so critical for our economy, you’d think Minister Ferguson would have given it his full focus. But from the evidence that’s been gradually extracted from the government, it’s obvious the Minister has failed in his critical job of overseeing this project. Clearly the Premier agrees, which is why he’s now appointed external experts to do that job.
This isn’t just about the huge cost overruns or lengthy delays to the project. It’s also about the way the government has handled this matter.
Michael Ferguson kept information about both the cost overruns for the new Spirits and the delays to the wharf upgrades secret from the public for months, and seemingly had no plans to come clean. That behaviour doesn’t meet the standard Tasmanians expect from a Minister.
It’s important to remember we would still have no idea about any of these major problems if the Opposition hadn’t pursued the issue in Parliament for weeks on end. For that they deserve credit – but it’s not something they should have been forced to do. A full account of the whole sorry state of affairs should have been provided up front by the government.
Tasmanians – especially tourism businesses and the north-west coast community – deserve more answers about this situation, and how Minister Ferguson allowed it to come about. Try as he might to shift the blame, responsibility ultimately rests with the Minister.
We hope to hear the perspectives of both current and former TT Line representatives on this matter soon. In the meantime, Premier Jeremy Rockliff should be thinking long and hard about how he’s going to deal with a Minister who has so clearly failed to do his job properly.
Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Tourism & Hospitality, 15 August 2024
Former TT-Line Chair must not be prevented from telling the truth about Spirits scandal
The Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Transport’s decision to sack the TT-Line Chair last night was not about his performance – only earlier in the day they had expressed their full confidence in him and the board.
Instead, it was about stopping Mr Grainger from giving evidence against Michael Ferguson, as he said he would do. They could not tolerate Mr Grainger telling the truth about Mr Ferguson’s role in the Spirits scandal and the sworn evidence Mr Ferguson provided to the inquiry on Monday.
I have written to the Chair of the Parliamentary Accounts Committee, the Hon. Ruth Forrest, asking that the Committee call Mr Michael Grainger to give evidence to its Spirits Project Inquiry at its earliest possible opportunity.
This inquiry was initiated after I requested it occur. It is doing an outstanding job of holding the government to account on a critical economic issue.
The delays and cost blowouts with the new Spirits project is now a full-blown crisis for our economy and for the government.
The tourism and hospitality sectors are experiencing their slowest period and years and had been assured, right up until a few weeks ago, that the new Spirit would be operating this coming summer. It was only through questioning by Labor that the government admitted that will not occur.
My concern is for the jobs and businesses associated with our world class tourism and hospitality sectors. It is no accident that they have been successful. The Spirits I and II are here because of the vision and leadership of Jim Bacon. The industry has been planning for their arrival for years and there is genuine devastation that they will not be in full service for at least two more summers.
I have grave concerns about the deliverability of the patchwork, interim solution at Berth 1. It will cost at least $50 million, potentially be used for a very short period and not deliver any additional passengers and freight anyway.
Michael Ferguson has serious questions to answer, and he needs to start telling the truth. But the Committee must not be further impeded by the government. Mr Grainger and the rest of the TT-Line Board must be allowed to freely give evidence, without any further political intervention.
Michael Feguson was the worst health minister in Tasmanian history, has failed to deliver countless infrastructure projects as Infrastructure Minister and has delivered a $1 billion deficit and record debt as Treasurer.
Once the Public Accounts Committee has been able to interrogate these matters the Parliament will need to make an assessment about Mr Ferguson’s performance as Minister for Infrastructure, Treasurer, and long-term Shareholder Minister for TT-Line and TasPorts.
Media release – Shane Broad MP, Leader of Opposition Business in the House of Assembly, 15 August 2024
Time for Lambies to put up or shut up
Senator Jacqui Lambie is the leader of the Jacqui Lambie Network. She holds three votes on the floor of the Tasmanian House of Assembly and is currently using them to prop up a failing Liberal-Lambie Coalition Government.
Jacqui Lambie and her candidates promised before the election they would be relentless in holding the Liberals to account. They’ve done the exact opposite since – including not asking a single question about the Spirits scandal.
If the Jacqui Lambie Network has no confidence in the Deputy Premier, they should move no confidence in the House of Assembly on 10 September.
Otherwise, Senator Lambie and her team is, as usual, all talk and no action.
Media release – Jacqui Lambie Network, 15 August 2024
JACQUI LAMBIE CALLS FOR MICHAEL FERGUSON’S RESIGNATION
Senator Jacqui Lambie is calling for Michael Ferguson to resign effective immediately.
Senator Lambie’s demands come after Premier Jeremy Rockliff and Mr Ferguson forced the resignation of the Chairman of the TT-Line, Michael Grainger, over the bungled upgrades to the Devonport terminal infrastructure.
Mr Ferguson’s career has been devoid of any kind of accountability and responsibility. Our health system buckled under his leadership and the Tasmanian economy has been driven off a cliff.
The TT-Line said they would tell the truth, which spooked Mr Ferguson, forcing him to resort to grotty tactics to keep the truth cloaked in secrecy. The Tasmanian people deserved to know what Mr Grainger would have told the Public Accounts Committee.
“After a decade in government, Mr Ferguson is naïve enough to think he can blame everyone else. The fish rots from the head down, and it’s pretty clear that Mr Ferguson is at the head of this rot.
“Mr Ferguson oversaw the two Government Owned Enterprises involved in this saga, but somehow, he didn’t see this coming. It is about time Michael Ferguson grew up, manned up, and took responsibility for his actions, or should I say, lack thereof.
“His eleventh-hour efforts prove just how incompetent and ineffective he really is.
“For the sake of the Tasmanian people, Michael Ferguson should resign or, at the very least, move himself to the backbench.”
Media release – SFF Party, 15 August 2024
TT lines and GBE boards
Considering the ongoing challenges and controversies surrounding several Government Business Enterprises (GBEs), including TT-Line and TasPorts, serious questions must be raised about the current process for appointing board members.
The recent issues faced by these enterprises underscore the urgent need to revisit the criteria and procedures used to select individuals for these critical roles. It is becoming increasingly clear that the skill sets and qualifications of current board members may not align with the complex demands of these organisations.
The public has a right to expect that those appointed to oversee essential government businesses possess not only the necessary expertise but also a deep understanding of the industries they are entrusted to manage. It is imperative that the appointment process is transparent, rigorous, and focused on securing the best possible governance for our public enterprises.
We call on the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive review of the GBE board appointment process. This should include an assessment of the qualifications and experiences required for these roles, as well as an evaluation of whether the current board members meet these standards.
Our Government Business Enterprises play a crucial role in the economy and the daily lives of Tasmanians. Ensuring their effective governance is not just a matter of good practice—it is essential for maintaining public trust and delivering on the responsibilities these entities hold.
