The State Government continues to fail Bruny Island commuters with more taxpayer money being spent on ferry infrastructure and a lack of effective action to fix ongoing problems with the running of the service.
Shadow Treasurer David O’Byrne said the decision to upgrade the ferry terminal shows the tender process for the ferry service has failed.
“When the government invited tenders for the Bruny Island ferry service, it stipulated that the successful tenderer must be able to operate an efficient service with the existing infrastructure,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“And yet, here we are today with the Infrastructure Minister announcing a multi-million dollar upgrade to the ferry terminals in a desperate attempt to reduce queues and congestion.
“This upgrade is an acknowledgement that the successful tenderers cannot fulfil their part of the original bargain.
“The Bruny Island ferry has been dogged by delays and ballooning waiting times, affecting residents, shackies, tourists and industries on the island.
“Now we have new vessels that are too small to do the job and need millions of dollars in upgrades in an attempt to make the service work.
“How much more taxpayer money will be spent to cover for the government’s dodgy tendering process and shambolic running of the ferry service and for yet another failed infrastructure decision by Michael Ferguson?
“Islanders and others using the ferry service deserve better and so do Tasmanian taxpayers.”
David O’Byrne MP
Shadow Treasurer
