The problem plagued PV Fortescue will be sold on the open market and funds recouped spent directly on a replacement vessel.
Labor’s legacy to Tasmanians is a $2m white-elephant, a vessel that was not fit-for-purpose and was taken out of service due to problems almost as soon as it was launched.
This move to finally realise some value from this sorry episode will bring to an end eight years of disgraceful governance by previous Labor Police Ministers.
Since the day of its launch, the vessel failed to deliver what Labor promised. As a result it spent more time tied up in dry dock than it was ever in service.
Having cost $1.1m to build, more than $800,000 was spent in attempts to make the vessel fit-for-purpose.
In the dying weeks of the Labor-Green Government, then Minister David O’Byrne shopped around the idea of passing the vessel, at no charge, to an industry training body. However, this was not progressed with Treasury as required as part of good governance.
The vessel will be advertised widely for sale and an independent valuation of the vessel estimates a market price more than $300,000 could be achieved.
These funds will be applied directly to the replacement vessel, which Tasmania Police has been missing for the past eight years.
Rene Hidding, Minister for Police and Emergency Management
