The state government will today learn more about future options for the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, including the possibility of temporarily leasing the ships while the necessary berthing infrastructure is being completed.
A report from infrastructure experts Ben Moloney and Peter Gemell, who were appointed in August to resolve the delayed project, is expected to be delivered today.
In Parliament on Thursday, Independent MP Rebekah Pentland questioned Premier Jeremy Rockliff on whether the ferries could be sent elsewhere for a few years.
Pentland said Labor’s stance on the “sensible suggestion” had been “predictably negative”.
“The wannabe Premier, Mr Winter, has made it an art form of criticising from the sidelines and now wants to rule out something before it is even investigated,” she said.
“Premier, will your government explore all ideas to find the best possible return for Tasmania? If leasing makes economic sense, will it be considered?”
Rockliff said the government has not yet made any decisions and will be guided by expert advice.
“We’ve made our position very clear … we will be exploring opportunities as presented by the Gemmell Moloney report and I look forward to the report which I’ll receive [on Friday],” he said.
“We will sort the Spirits. We will fix the GBEs and we will back our tourism industry. I can guarantee that.”
The government’s decision on a path forward will be made next week.
Labor leader Dean Winter has been vocal in his opposition to the potential leasing of ships, previously stating that Tasmania should not receive second-hand ships while waiting for delayed infrastructure to be built.
He said the ships should be kept in Tasmania at no cost until they are ready to enter service.
