· Tasmanians kept in the dark over the new Spirit vessels
· Will Hodgman must stop the secrecy over this major project
· Labor’s serious questions remain unanswered
The Government must stop the secrecy surrounding the replacement of the Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Shane Broad, said Will Hodgman’s appalling performance in Question Time today suggested he had something to hide.
“Will Hodgman today failed to confirm whether the new ships will be delivered as promised by 2021 or how the Government plans to pay for the required massive upgrades to wharf infrastructure,” Dr Broad said.
“We understand just the upgrades to Station Pier in Melbourne alone will cost around $200 million and that Tasmania will be expected to foot a large proportion of the bill and yet Will Hodgman today refused to be open with Tasmanians about this cost.
“We also know that the new vessels will run on a combination of marine gasoil and liquefied natural gas and Labor understands that a multi-million dollar fuel supply agreement has been signed, locking TT-Line into paying fixed costs from 2021- even if the new ships are delayed.
“Will Hodgman must come clean and reveal whether TT-Line has locked in any other contracts which Tasmanian taxpayers will have to pay for from 2021 regardless of whether the new ships are here or not.
“These vessels represent the single largest purchase in the state’s history and it is shameful Will Hodgman, who is also Tourism Minister, is so hands off and secretive.”
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
