Media release – Anita Dow MP, Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 19 December 2024

Leasing search has barely begun as TT-Line appoints another broker

The ferries fiasco continues as TT-Line announced they have had to appoint a second broker to help find a leasing arrangement for the new Spirits as the bill for Scottish ports fees has ticked over $100,000.

The chance of finding a lease for the ships is shrinking every day. Premier Rockliff and the Liberals have left it too late and now Tasmanians are paying more than $47,000 per week to hide their ships on the other side of the world.

TT-Line Interim Chair Damian Bugg KC during government business enterprise hearings made it clear that the chances of Spirit IV being leased out were unlikely.

Minister Eric Abetz was talking about leasing the Spirits at budget estimates in September, more than three months later and the second broker has only just been appointed to start the search.

The only question remaining is when will Premier Rockliff show some backbone, cut his losses, and bring our Spirits home? It doesn’t make sense to keep spending this kind of money keeping them in Scotland, and Tasmanians still don’t know the full costs.

The best place for Tasmania’s new Spirits is in Tasmania. They’ll be safe, we can complete the local fit out, support local jobs and make sure they’re ready to go as soon as the berth is.

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Labor Leader, 20 December 2024

$570,000 per month and counting for the Premier’s Scottish solution

After doing their best to deceive the public about how much keeping the Spirits in Scotland will cost, it was finally revealed that Tasmanian taxpayers are paying more than $570,000 per month to hide Spirit IV in Scotland.

In a statement put out by the Government late yesterday afternoon, they revealed that TT-Line is paying $380,000 per month in crew costs while Spirit IV is sitting in Scotland, in addition to the $190,000 per month worth of storage costs already revealed earlier in December.

The Premier has known this cost for a long time, and he tried to sneak it out late on one of the last working days of the year for many Tasmanians. It’s a prime example of why the business community can’t trust this government anymore.

Even after this latest revelation we still don’t know the full costs of hiding the ships in Scotland. How much are the ancillary costs? Power? Fuel? Maintenance? And how much are we spending on broker fees? Not to mention the full-page newspaper ads back in Tasmania trying to spin to story.

It’s time for Jeremy Rockliff’s and his government to tell the truth about how much Tasmanian taxpayers will be spending to cover up his massive stuff-up.

Media release – unattributed, ‘Tasmanian Government media’, 19 December 2024

Regular Spirit Replacement Update

Berth 3 Project Update
The Premier visited the site last week to receive an update on the works at Berth 3 which are progressing well.

Pile driving works are now over 80 per cent completed, well ahead of the estimated 60 per cent original target by Christmas

Following the completion of these works, excavation and concrete works will begin in the new year in preparation for the major marine construction works starting early in 2025.

Activity on the site will increase in the New Year, and we will continue to provide updates on the progress.

The Public Accounts Committee will undertake a site progress update on Friday 20 December 2024.

Spirit of Tasmania IV Update
Work is continuing to identify potential leasing or chartering options for Spirit IV.

The ship continues to be berthed in Leith, Scotland for a minimum of 30 days at an average weekly cost of $47,534 AUD plus ancillary services.

Should the vessel remain in Leith beyond 30 days, the cost of berthing the vessel reduces significantly.

The Tasmanian Government’s priority is to seek the best possible financial return for Tasmanians and TT-Line has appointed a broker who specialises in leasing vessels.

The vessel is temporarily berthed in Leith while this work proceeds, ensuring Tasmanian taxpayers do not foot the bill for an estimated $8 million round-trip from Scotland to Tasmania and back.

Crewing costs would be incurred regardless of where the vessel was located and are currently estimated at $380,000 per month.

Crewing costs in Tasmania would be significantly higher due to differing domestic requirements, resulting in increased onboard crew numbers.

Tourism and Hospitality Support Package Update
The Tasmanian Government is working closely with the tourism and hospitality industry, together with TT-Line and Tourism Tasmania to progress the comprehensive support package that was announced in October.

The $28 million package aims to boost visitation around the state and support our local tourism and hospitality sectors, while the berthing infrastructure for the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels is completed.

The delivery of the package is being overseen by a Working Group that includes representation from airports, Regional Tourism Organisations, Tourism Tasmania, Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, Events Tasmania, Spirit of Tasmania and Business Events Tasmania.

The following components of the package are already underway or being progressed, with more details to be made available soon:

  • A Tourism Tasmania intrastate campaign to inspire Tasmanians to make the most of the longer days and enjoy our tourism, hospitality and event experiences across the state this summer;
  • A $5 million Tasmanian Festivals and Event Support Fund to boost regional visitation and strengthen the Tasmanian economy during the shoulder and winter months;
  • A $5 million Spirit Preparedness Fund for both council and operators to support the development of new products and offerings, enhance existing attractions, and support Councils to deliver key infrastructure such as signage and charging stations;
  • A $10 million voucher program to encourage Tasmanians to travel and eat out, during the colder months;
  •  A $6 million Spirit subsidised fee to boost demand and provide for additional day sailings;
  • A $5.5 million Aviation Fund to increase aviation capacity into Tasmania; and
  • Air and Hire Care Packages to support increased visitor dispersal by encouraging those arriving by air to get out and enjoy the regions.

For information or updates regarding the Berth 3, the new vessels or the comprehensive tourism and hospitality package, visit https://www.infrastructure.tas.gov.au/policy_and_advice/spirit_of_tasmania

Media release – Andrew Jenner, JLN MHA for Lyons, 20 December 2024

Bring the ships home

Andrew Jenner once again calls on the Government to bring the ships home.

TT-Line’s staggering $380,000 a month to pay six crew members for a ship going nowhere is an absolute outrage, said the Jacqui Lambie Network Member for Lyons, Andrew Jenner.

“The costs continue to pile up. Each month we find out there is more and more money being spent to keep the ships doing nothing.

“$380,000 for 6 crew on top of $190,000 in berthing fees. It’s a comedy of errors, but no one’s laughing.

“Rather than spending this money in Scotland, we could be spending it here at home. This is money that could be going to Tasmanians, and it should be going to Tasmanians.

“Tasmanians want the boats home and yet they’re the ones footing the bill to keep them in Scotland.

“I am once again calling on the Government to bring the Spirits home – it’s what Tasmanians want.”