Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Transport, 2 March 2025
Statement on Spirit of Tasmania IV
The Tasmanian Government has instructed TT-Line to cease negotiations and continue plans to relocate the Spirit of Tasmania IV to Tasmania.
TT-Line has been engaging with a broker in good faith; however, it has become evident that an agreement will not be reached.
As a result, TT-Line has been instructed to continue preparations to relocate the vessel to Tasmania.
Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said that the Tasmanian Government has done all it could to deliver a lease that would be beneficial for Tasmanians.
“We have always acted in the best interests of the Tasmanian taxpayer,” Minister Abetz said.
“We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer, and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this.
“Previous similar leases provided more than 50 million euros to vessel owners, and it was prudent that we sought similar arrangements for Tasmanian taxpayers.
“Sadly, Labor’s negativity surrounding the matter has not helped and disparaging commentary has harmed the state’s economic interests.
“The relentless negativity is hurting the state’s economic opportunities, and it’s time to move forward together.
TT-Line will continue with plans to relocate the vessel, and a further update regarding timelines will be provided in due course.
Media release – Josh Willie MP, Shadow Treasurer, 2 March 2025
Spirits backflip welcome, but months and millions of dollars late
While Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s backflip to bring Spirit of Tasmania IV home is welcome, it comes at least four months – and millions of taxpayer dollars – late.
Spirit IV has now spent three months in hiding in Scotland, at a cost to Tasmanians of close to $2 million.
The Liberals have engaged not one, but two brokers, and we still don’t know the cost of those.
Throughout this sorry saga everyone could see that leasing the ship wasn’t going to happen, including TT-Line, which told Parliament it was very unlikely. This didn’t stop the Liberals maintaining their charade at great expense to the Tasmanian taxpayer so they could try and save face.
The ferry fiasco has been the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history, but the cover-up has been even worse than the crime.
After the Scottish government yesterday denied negotiating to lease the ship, many will be wondering if there ever was a genuine leasing offer on the table.
Media release – Jacqui Lambie Network MP, Andrew Jenner, 2 March 2025
Common sense prevails
For months I have been calling on the Rockliff Liberal Government to bring the new Spirt ships home. Today, common sense has finally prevailed.
Millions of Tasmanian taxpayer dollars have been squandered as the government attempted to hide its failures on the other side of the world in a vain attempt at avoiding accountability.
From the beginning, Tasmanians understood that the Spirit ships needed to come home, and today, that decision has been confirmed.
These ships were built for Tasmanians, paid for by Tasmanians and they belong in Tasmania. Now let’s use them for Tasmanians.
Media release – independent MHAs Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick, 6 March 2025
SPIRTS’ IMMEDIATE FUTURE STILL UNCLEAR
Northern independents Rebekah Pentland and Miriam Beswick have again called on the major parties to engage in a sensible discussion about the future of the new Spirits while we wait for the berth at Devonport to be completed.
“I brought on a debate about the Spirits today in a bid to get a clearer idea of what their immediate future holds,” Mrs Pentland said.
“I’ve made it clear that I’m disappointed a return on investment has been lost by leasing negotiations falling over.
“It’s regrettable that politics have been put ahead of a potentially positive financial outcome.
“The major parties seem determined to see the ships return home but no one has put a clear plan on the table.
“How will we accommodate two new ferries at Tasmania’s already-busy ports and how much will the exercise cost?”
Braddon MP Miriam Beswick encouraged the State Government and TT Line to continue exploring commercial options.
“If there’s a way we can recoup valuable money, it should be carefully considered.
“In the debate this morning, no one from the major parties put forward ideas for the interim period. And the current debate seems to focus on just one ship, not two.
“Playing politics and dwelling on the mistakes made so far won’t help pay the bills.
“No one has explained what will happen to the ships if they’re brought home.
“We are also yet to see a detailed plan for the new berth at Devonport. I’ve urged the Minister to make designs available, so stakeholders and customers know what to expect.”
