The ongoing debacle surrounding the delayed Spirit of Tasmania ferries has forced the owner of a once “thriving” pet transport company to close their business, Labor says.
Deputy leader Anita Dow highlighted the struggles faced by the business in parliament on Thursday, noting that they had been “banking” on the arrival of the two new Spirit ferries and their increased vehicle capacity.
“But instead, there are no definite answers when both new ships will run at full capacity,” Dow quoted the owner as saying.
“Currently, the ship is booked out until June for vehicles over 2.1 metres high and often fully booked for vehicles under 2.1 metres high.”
The business owner said they had frequently been unable to add extra vehicles to bookings and had told customers to go on waitlists.
“It’s time to hang up the keys,” the owner said.
Dow presented the situation to Premier Jeremy Rockliff, saying the business had already put their transport vans up for sale.
“What do you say to people who’ve lost their business because your Spirit stuff up?” she asked.
“Will you add more day sailings before more Tasmanian businesses have to shut?”
Rockliff responded by saying that he was “not aware of the circumstances” surrounding the business’s closure.
He said sailings were increased in line with demand in the last financial year and will be adjusted again this summer.
“I think the Labor Party need to be very careful … in your public commentary,” he said.
“[Additional sailings are] already an existing policy based on demand.”
