Independent Braddon MP Craig Garland has joined forces with Labor in criticising the government’s decision to keep the first new Spirit of Tasmania ferry in Scotland.
Spirit IV will remain overseas for the foreseeable future at a cost of $50,000 per week while operator TT-Line attempts to lease it out until it can enter service in Tasmania in 2027.
Garland described the situation as a “s–t show” and called for the ferry to be brought back to the state.
He said a petition launched by Labor requesting exactly that will “send a loud message” to the state government.
“This petition is a great idea to involve the community and I support the call,” he said.
“Each signature is one more person to show the Tasmanian Government, Minister for Transport and TT-Line what you expect the way forward to be.”
The petition doesn’t have the support of fellow Braddon independent and former Lambie MP Miriam Beswick, who is instead backing the government’s approach.
“Labor’s petition to ‘bring the Spirits home’ isn’t helpful,” she said.
“It’s time for process to be put ahead of politics. [Labor has] done a good job applying scrutiny to the government’s handling of the saga, but the time for politics is over.”
Beswick said viable leasing options “should be explored”.
“We need to make wise fiscal decisions to lessen the impact on Tasmanian taxpayers. TT-Line has made it clear that sailing the ship from Europe to Tasmania would be expensive and would close the door to potential opportunities,” she said.
“We’re already losing opportunities due to the delays. We don’t want to lose more by making a rash political decision.”
