The first new Spirit of Tasmania ferry should be used for cruises around the island or to reintroduce a Sydney to Hobart service while delayed berth infrastructure is built, Lambie MP Andrew Jenner says.
In Parliament on Tuesday, Jenner questioned Premier Jeremy Rockliff’s decision to keep the ferry temporarily moored in Scotland at a cost of $40,000 per day.
“If we’re already spending tens of thousands on moorings in a different country, what’s the risk in putting them to use here in Tasmania?” he asked.
“You can offset the loss they make or incur of the $40,000 a day you’re willing to spend on the moorings.”
Jenner said that even though the ferries may only be used for foot traffic, it is preferable to “paying for them to sit idle for months”.
“Can you say, hand on heart, that you’ve explored every option that makes the most of these ships here in Tasmania?”
Rockliff said a number of options were considered, but that berthing infrastructure would ultimately still be required.
He said Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line is exploring leasing options for the first new vessel with brokers ahead of the completion of the second ship next year.
“My motivation factor now is to ensure that, despite the challenges previously, we’re moving forward, but also the decisions we make now must be in the best interests of the Tasmanian taxpayer,” Rockliff said.
Ferries have previously run between Sydney and Tasmania, with Empress of Australia the first to tackle the route in 1962 via Devonport and Burnie, while the second came in the 1970s.
