The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) has slammed the state government’s handling of the new Spirit of Tasmania ferry project, calling it a “dark day for Tasmania”.
TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said the business community was “appalled” by the delays and cost overruns associated with the project, which he said will impact the economy for years to come.
“This is even worse than we first thought,” he said.
“Our [Tasmanian] brand has been damaged and it has impacted on business confidence.”
“Worst of all, it will be very difficult to trust this government again because of this.”
The government on Thursday announced that the new ferries, the first due to arrive in Tasmania in the coming months, will likely be leased out until they can enter service in 2027.
But the three-year timeline for the project’s completion is now “difficult to trust”, Bailey said.
“It’s difficult to see how we can rely on the government to continue to mark its own homework after today’s announcement,” he said.
He called for independent oversight of the project and for a Commission of Inquiry to be established.
The project has faced numerous delays and cost overruns, including multi-million dollar payments to the Finnish shipbuilder to keep it afloat in recent years.
