The new Spirit of Tasmania IV will be brought home, with the state government confirming this afternoon that they have instructed TT-Line to cease leasing negotiations.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz said TT-Line had been negotiating “in good faith” with a broker but an agreement would “not be reached”.
“We had an opportunity to secure an agreement worth tens of millions of dollars for the Tasmanian taxpayer and it would have been economically irresponsible not to explore this,” Abetz said.
He said TT-Line would continue with plans to relocate the vessel to Tasmania, with a timeline to be provided at a later date.
The news comes days after a government leak revealed the Scottish Government had reportedly been in talks with TT-Line to lease the vessel to house Ukrainian refugees.
Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff refused to rule out the possibility after an exclusive report by Pulse on Thursday, saying negotiations were “underway” and it would be “premature” to discuss.
The Scottish Government yesterday denied the reports, saying they have “no plans to lease this or any other vessel for this purpose”.
The revelation yesterday prompted Labor Leader Dean Winter to accuse someone of lying, saying Tasmanians were not being told the full truth.
“We’ve got the government who’s leaking like a sieve. Firstly, last Thursday, leaking a story that they were negotiating with the Scottish Government to turn our new ship into a floating refugee camp,” he said yesterday.
“Now today, you’ve got the Scottish Government saying it’s not true. I mean, this is turning into a farce.”
Transport Minister Eric Abetz today said Labor’s “negativity” surrounding the issue “has not helped”.
“Disparaging commentary has harmed the state’s economic interests.”
The new Spirit IV is currently being berthed at Edinburgh’s Port of Leith in Scotland while a berth suitable to house it is built in Devonport.
