The Liberal Government has given its strongest indication yet that it is backing a proposal to build the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels in the Philippines.
Shadow Infrastructure Minister Shane Broad said the boat yard in the Philippines specialises in aluminium catamarans, and has never built anything remotely like the 212-metre steel monohull TT-Line wants for the Spirits.
“This is not what the Liberals promised Tasmanians,” Dr Broad said.
“There are no Tasmanian jobs in the Philippines and there are no Tasmanian jobs at Austal in Western Australia where the ships are proposed to be fitted out.
“Labor supports maximising Tasmanian jobs in the replacement of Spirit of Tasmania vessels, which is exactly what the Liberals promised when they first announced the ship replacement.
“But the approach taken by the Liberals is not creating jobs, it is creating uncertainty.
“The first new Spirit was supposed to be on Bass Strait next year. Now they won’t be delivered until at least 2028.
“Reliability on Bass Strait is critical and it’s no place for experiments.
“Tourists and freight customers cannot afford to lose a single day’s sailing.
“We have seen the consequences of cutting corners on Bass Strait, with the future of the Malaysian-built John Duigan in doubt, leaving King Island high and dry.”
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
