Media release – Eric Abetz, Minister for Transport, 21 March 2025
Spirit of Tasmania Berth 3 update
The Tasmanian Government is focused on delivering the infrastructure to allow the new Spirits of Tasmania to operate as soon as possible.
As part of our Spirits Recovery Plan, a key priority for the Government and TT-Line over recent months has been to resolve design issues as well as addressing challenges highlighted in the Ben Moloney and Peter Gemell’s Berth for New Vessel Report (October 2024) such as the multiple parallel critical paths and the reliance on offshore supply.
The Government has always said that it would pursue every opportunity to bring forward the timeline for delivery of the new Berth 3, anticipated for completion by February 2027, with the potential to accelerate works for completion as soon as possible.
The most significant time crucial element of Berth 3 is the design and construction of the main gantry structure, including its foundations.
TT-Line has been working to identify opportunities to fast track the existing gantry design and foundations methodology for several months.
Following ongoing geotechnical investigations onsite and engagement with a range of technical experts, TT-Line has identified a potential alternative design for the gantry and methodology for the foundations that maximise the opportunity to deliver the project as quickly as possible.
This matter was considered in detail by the new board of TT-Line at its meeting on 17 March 2025, and has been endorsed by the Government’s steering committee which includes infrastructure experts Ben Moloney and Peter Gemell.
TT-Line is now working with contractors to implement a revised work plan that could fast track the project’s delivery prior to February 2027. Works will continue on-site during this time.
Tasmanian Government welcomes TFES commitment
The Tasmanian Government has welcomed the Federal Liberal Opposition’s announcement that will see a boost to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme.
Minister for Transport, Eric Abetz, said the Tasmanian Government had long recognised this critical scheme required significant improvements to benefit Tasmanian businesses.
“We strongly welcome the Opposition Leader, Peter Dutton’s, commitment to increase the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme pending a full review of the Scheme (TBC),” Minister Abetz said.
“I have long been arguing that this Scheme is out-of-date and increases the cost of living in Tasmania.
“This commitment aligns with our Government’s Team Tasmania 2025 Economic Priorities and I welcome Mr Dutton’s leadership on this matter.
“As an island state, Tasmania relies on sea freight to move 99 per cent of goods, with the cost of shipping directly impacting on the cost of doing business and the cost of living.
“This commitment ensures that Tasmanian producers, businesses and our economy can continue to grow and thrive.
“It is now incumbent on the Federal Labor Government to match this commitment, and I call on the Tasmanian Labor Leader, Dean Winter, to break his deafening silence on this issue and publicly support our Tasmanian businesses and jobs which rely on the scheme.
“The TFES is especially important for businesses located in regional areas involved in agriculture, mining and forestry; materially boosting employment, Gross State Product and investment in Tasmania.”
Media release – Anita Dow MP, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, 21 March 2025
Abetz confirms berth 3 construction is still stuck in the mud
Transport Minister Abetz’s Berth 3 construction ‘update’ has reminded Tasmanians that the Liberal minority government is all at sea when it comes to the project.
The Minister says a ‘potential’ alternative design for the main gantry has been identified and geo-technical works are still ongoing.
The Liberal minority government are still yet to finalise a design for a construction project that should have been completed a year ago.
The Minister’s media release also points to a construction timeline that they are already working to. Tasmanians are still in the dark about when the project will be completed, and clearly Minister Abetz is too.
Minister Abetz has tried to pass off the update for progress, but it only highlights just how little work is being done at Berth 3.
Media release – Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 21 March 2025
Huge win for Tassie as Libs back freight funding
The TCCI has welcomed the announcement that a Coalition Government would review the TFES, and provide immediate relief for Tasmanian businesses.
TCCI CEO, Michael Bailey, said this was a fantastic outcome for Tasmanian businesses.
“The TCCI along with the Tasmanian Fruit Growers Association and a range of other businesses have been calling for action on the TFES and it’s great that the Coalition has been listening,” Mr Bailey said.
“Tasmanian exports to the mainland and overseas are valued at more than $26 billion each year. The businesses that produce those exports employ thousands of Tasmanians and support hundreds of communities right around the state. This commitment will back in those businesses, secure jobs and support those communities.
“It’s also testament to the hard work of Tasmania’s Liberal team.
“We are calling on the Labor Party to back in this policy too so the Tasmanian community know that whatever the result on election day, the next Government will be there to support them and deliver for them. We are calling for a bipartisan approach, because this issue is too important to play politics with.”
Comment – Senator Tammy Tyrrell, independent Senator for Tasmania, 21 March 2025
comments on Peter Dutton’s announcement regarding the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme
“It’s great that the freight scheme is finally on the Coalition’s mind after years of neglect. Any Tasmanian business will tell you this is a completely broken system sending businesses backwards.
“The major parties need to commit to a giant leap forward for this scheme, not a timid step. We don’t need another review. I’ve put forward plenty of ways to fix the scheme, like including air freight for King Island and Flinders Island and making payments more simple via an annual standard rebate claim for regular users.
“My Senate Inquiry gave Tassie businesses and producers a voice. After years of ignoring them, you’d think the least the major parties could do is commit to making real changes in the scheme.”
Media release – Fruit Growers Tasmania, 21 March 2025
Call answered by Federal Opposition Leader on TFES
Fruit Growers Tasmania, on behalf of the states’ fruit industry, applauds today’s announcement by the Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, that the Liberal party will support the request for immediate change to the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES).
Tasmanian producers (and manufacturers) trading interstate and overseas rely on the scheme to address the significant cost disadvantage of sea freight over road and rail freight.
Owner of Tasmanian Berries and Fruit Growers Tasmania’s board member, Andrew Terry stated, “The support that we have been promised here today on the Freight Equalisation Scheme, will make a fundamental and immediate difference to my business, and all those businesses that trade in interstate and overseas markets.
“I believe the economic benefit of these changes will be felt across the state’s regional communities where our business operates.”
Following the recent Federal Senate Committee inquiry into the Scheme which concluded with a final report in February, Fruit Growers Tasmania together with the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) and Norske Skog Boyer, have been calling for three immediate changes to the Scheme. These would see an increase in the calculated support for sea freight disadvantage, the intermodal allowance and the export freight assistance rate.
While these are the three key changes to the Scheme, there is also the southbound freight assistance, and the intrastate freight assistance (between the main island of Tasmania and King and Flinders Islands) which the Liberal Party have also agreed to support. These changes will amount to $62 million to enhance the Scheme in the short term. With a further promise to undertake a full review of the Scheme.
Andrew Terry went on to say, “It is so important that change happens as soon as possible. The immediate increase will provide some much-needed relief for Tasmanian fruit growers who send more than 85 per cent of their fruit to interstate and international markets.
“We think the increased funding commitment, is a drop in the ocean compared to the tens of billions in value that Tasmanian industries generate through interstate and overseas trade.”
The proposed changes are based on the Commonwealth government figures, these show that there has been an increase in the cost over the past 25 years of the scheme but at the same time there has been no increase in the level of assistance.
Media release – Nick McKim, Greens Senator for Tasmania, 23 February 2025
Greens support rise in TFES
The Greens have supported calls from Tasmanian businesses for payments under the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme (TFES) to be increased for 12 months pending the results of a full review.
Senator Nick McKim, who was part of the recent Senate Inquiry into the TFES, said that the scheme is no longer fit for purpose and that northbound freight from Tasmania should be better supported while a review is underway.
“Freight costs across Bass Strait have spiralled while support from the TFES has failed to keep pace.”
“This has been an issue for decades and it needs to be addressed.”
“We remain of the view that whole logs from Tasmania’s native forests should not attract support from the TFES. The mendicant native forest logging industry should not have access to yet another public subsidy.”
