Former Tasmanian deputy premier and treasurer Michael Ferguson says he takes full responsibility for the Spirit of Tasmania debacle – but that TT-Line was singularly to blame for the project’s failures.
Speaking on the Poll Position podcast with Brad Stansfield and Alex Johnston, Ferguson said promises made to him by TT-Line about the readiness of berthing infrastructure at Devonport turned out to be worthless.
“Promises were made that we are on schedule,” he said.
“Minister, we promise we will have boarding capacity, not three ramps, but at least one in time for the new ferries. They will operate,” he said they told him.
“Those promises not only were unreliable, but now you look back and you realise … there was not even the prospect.”
Asked by Stansfield whether nobody had noticed the port wasn’t being built, Ferguson told the podcast he was “increasingly worried” and had raised concerns, but was assured by TT-Line the project was on track.
“I’m a very trusting person. I think it’s one of my weaknesses, actually, that I trusted people when they say, ‘no, we’ve got this’,” he said.
Ferguson told Stansfield and Johnston that many people around him urged him not to resign, but he concluded it was the right thing to do.
“Nobody had taken responsibility. That’s not acceptable for the public. I get it,” he said.
“I think the action that I took was the responsible action and the necessary action at the time.”
Speaking on his political future, Ferguson told the podcast he was committed to serving as the member for Bass.
“I’m going to stay where I am, serve my constituency of Bass,” he said.
“I love them. They’ve been so good to me, elected me now seven times. And I want to be good to them.”
He denied rumours he may be looking for pre-selection in the senate.
“It’s plausible, but it’s a bit fanciful. Because I have no such plans.”
