· Peter Gutwein shows complete disregard for TCCI
· Government has kept Tasmanians in the dark
· Will taxpayers fund port infrastructure upgrades?
Peter Gutwein has shown contempt for Tasmania’s peak business body by calling its legitimate questions over plans to move the Spirit of Tasmania ferry berth to Geelong ‘ridiculous’.
The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has expressed serious concerns about the detrimental impacts of any move.
TCCI CEO Michael Bailey said:
“Moving the Spirit of Tasmania berth to Geelong could potentially affect those vital supply arrangements with Victorian and mainland customers and that is a significant concern to the business community.
“Those vessels are arguably our most important link to the mainland and when docked at Station Pier they are effectively massive floating billboards for our state in the heart of Melbourne, which is probably Tasmania’s most important market in terms of exports and visitors.”
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Shane Broad, said Peter Gutwein needed to consult with peak bodies and Spirit of Tasmania users.
“Here we have Tasmania’s peak business body expressing legitimate concerns over the Government’s plan to move the ferry berth to Geelong and Peter Gutwein won’t even listen, worse still, he ridicules the CEO,” Dr Broad said.
“Despite these concerns, he has attempted to keep this massive development secret from Tasmanians and now isn’t even prepared to consult with those most affected.
“Peter Gutwein also failed to reveal how much required infrastructure upgrades at both the Devonport and Victorian ports will cost and who is going to pay for them.
“The Premier must reveal whether his failure to factor in these costs is the real reason for pursuing a move to Geelong.”
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
