Labor has been accused of playing “desperate” politics after attacking the government over Tasmania’s ferry fleet being “scattered across the globe”.
Clark candidate Josh Willie says the Spirit of Tasmania situation is an ongoing “international embarrassment”, with only one ferry currently operating between Devonport and Geelong.
His criticism points to one existing vessel that is in Singapore for scheduled maintenance and two brand-new ferries – one on its maiden voyage to Tasmania and another that recently completed sea trials.
The first of the two new ships, Spirit IV, is currently off the coast of Africa, having recently left Leith in Scotland. Spirit V is still in Finland.
“We have billions of dollars of ships right now all over the globe, everywhere they shouldn’t be,” Willie said.
“They should be here in Tasmania in service.”
Willie is also demanding the state government reveal storage costs for Spirit IV while it was docked in Scotland.
Those costs were last reported to be $47,000 a week, plus $95,000 in weekly crew expenses.
Labor is seeking answers on whether a taxpayer bailout might be needed for TT-Line, with the ferry operator potentially set to exceed its $990 million debt ceiling by October.
“Premier Rockliff should outline to Tasmanians today what it’s going to cost Tasmanian taxpayers to inject an equity payment into TT-Line because of the cost blowouts,” Willie said.
“He’s refused to do that to date and I think he should do that prior to the state election on July 19.”
Responding to Willie’s comments, Rockliff said Labor had “run out of ideas” with just over a week to go until polling day.
“They are desperate. Tasmanians are sick and tired of the political games that Labor are playing,” Rockliff said.
He said final storage figures would be released “as soon as the costings are finalised” and “available from TT-Line”.
Neither Spirit IV nor Spirit V will be able to operate on the Bass Strait route until new berth infrastructure is complete in Devonport, expected as soon as late 2026.
More on this story: Labor promises both new Spirit ferries will be home by Christmas if elected
