The scandal around the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels has dramatically deepened this afternoon, with Michael Ferguson and Eric Abetz finally admitting the long-promised port infrastructure is massively delayed and over budget.

The new Spirit of Tasmania vessels cannot operate out of Devonport without the wharf upgrades, which now won’t be delivered until at least 2026 and will cost $375 million. Alarmingly, Michael Ferguson has also appeared to suggest there are concerns about TT-Line’s ability to deliver the necessary refuelling infrastructure at Devonport, with no indication of when the issue might be resolved.

Respected economist Saul Eslake has shown that every year the new Spirits are delayed costs the Tasmanian economy $350 million. They are already three years late.

Minister Ferguson says the government will now “provide enhanced oversight of both berthing projects, with TT-Line and TasPorts required to provide full and immediate advice throughout the projects to shareholder Ministers, including any advice relating to the timing, delivery and cost of the vessels.”

What on earth has he been doing up until now?

As with so many major projects promised by the Liberals, the Spirits program has been plagued with delays, cost blowouts and secrecy – and it’s taxpayers and the Tasmania economy that pay the price.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Jobs, Workplace Relations and Safety