Today’s TT-Line scrutiny hearing made one point clear – Premier Jeremy Rockliff needs to end the charade that the Spirits are going to be leased out and bring them home to Tasmania.

Interim TT-Line Chair Damien Bugg KC admitted to the hearing that there was “not a strong likelihood” that the ships would be leased out.

Despite this, the Tasmanian taxpayer is paying nearly $50,000 per week plus other costs just in case they can – for an indefinite period of time.

Minister Eric Abetz avoided the question entirely – showing the Liberals have learnt nothing throughout this sorry saga.

Earlier, in response to questions about giving control of the ships to unknown operators, Mr Bugg said that he’d love to have the Spirits here in Tasmania.

So would I, and so would the vast majority of Tasmanians I’ve talked to about this issue.

This project has been marred by bad decision after bad decision, costing Tasmania hundreds of millions of dollars. We can’t afford another one.

I urge Jeremy Rockliff to listen to the evidence, put his pride aside in the interest of Tasmania and do the right thing. Bring the Spirits home.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader