Anita Dow MP, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 27 November 2024

Geelong CEO not the answer to Spirits Fiasco

News that the Government is considering the appointment of a Victorian-based Spirits of Tasmania CEO will come as another kick in the teeth to the Tassie businesses affected by the Spirits debacle.

After everything that has gone wrong with the new Spirits so far, Tasmanians would expect the new CEO to at least live here and have the best interests of Tasmania at the core of their mission.

The new CEO should be based in Devonport.

Under this Liberal minority government planeloads of Tasmanians are leaving our shores for better opportunities elsewhere. And now it turns out Premier Rockliff is willing to pay a Spirits of Tasmania CEO to live in Victoria.

The new ships are headed to Scotland, the new CEO could be based in Geelong. Aren’t they supposed to be the Spirits of Tasmania?

Premier Rockliff needs to make sure the new Spirits of Tasmania CEO is based in Devonport, and is focused on delivering for Tasmanian businesses and the Tasmanian economy.

Media release – Josh Willie MP, Shadow Treasurer, 27 November 2024

Premier continues to hide Scottish port costs from Tasmanians

Jeremy Rockliff’s continual refusal to outline the cost of hiding Spirit of Tasmania IV in Scotland flies in the face of his claims of transparency and openness surrounding the bungled project.

Spirit of Tasmania IV is leaving Finland this week. It is incredible to think they haven’t already signed a deal.

The Liberals have already been exposed for ordering the new ships without building anywhere for them to berth – a blunder which has cost Tasmanians hundreds of millions of dollars.

Tasmanians know they will be paying the price of the Liberals Spirits disaster for generations to come, but we are still in the dark about exactly how much.

TT-Line has estimated the cost of storing the Spirits in Scotland to be $1.2 million a month.

With Spirit IV bound for Scottish shores this week, it’s time the Premier came forward with an updated cost.

Media release – Anita Dow MP, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 27 November 2024

Liberals follow Labor’s lead again on Spirits CEO

The Liberals have once again followed Labor’s lead, after a government spokesperson did what the Premier couldn’t and ruled out the new Spirit of Tasmania CEO being based outside of Tasmania.

Under questioning from Labor today, the Premier was too weak to unequivocally state that the new CEO would be based in Tasmania after it was revealed the Government was considering the appointment of a Victorian-based applicant.

However after Question Time, a state government spokesperson was sent in to clean up the mess, confirming the new CEO will be based in Tasmania and completely undermining the Premier in the process.

A lack of leadership is exactly what landed Premier Rockliff and the Liberals in this sorry Spirits mess.

While the ship has already sailed, if the Premier is serious about turning the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmanian history around he needs to start leading from the front.

Media release – Eric Abetz, Leader of the House, 27 November 2024

Woeful Winter’s wasteful Wednesday

The Tasmanian Parliament has yet again rejected the Leader of the Opposition’s political stunts.
For the second time in as many weeks, the hapless Leader of the Opposition has failed to get support for his silly stunts.
Mr Winter was again rebuffed by Parliament in his attempt to further politicise the Spirits issue.
The only thing he has achieved is wasting Parliament’s time.
Today’s silly stunt just proves that Mr Winter is more interesting in playing political games than sorting the Spirits.
While Mr Winter continues to try and make it all about himself, the Tasmanian Government is completely focused on getting on with the job and delivering the best solutions for Tasmanians.