The Gutwein Government's asleep-at-the-wheel approach to securing business for Tasmania has resulted in the loss of a critical $36 million contract that will be a significant blow for Launceston's nationally-renowned Australian Maritime College.
Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Jobs Michelle O'Byrne said there was no excuse for the Liberal Government and Education and Training Minister Jeremy Rockliff to have allowed the contract to provide mariner training and support to the Navy to be lost to Queensland.
"It's incredibly concerning that Queensland has been able to wrestle this important training package away from Tasmania, especially considering the AMC has being undertaking this course since 1992, for nearly 30 years," Ms O'Byrne said.
"During that time the AMC has gained a national reputation, particularly in the defence industry, for its capability and in one fell swoop Mr Rockliff has allowed it to slip through Tasmania's fingers.
"This will of course effect students who won't be coming to Tasmania to take that training anymore which is both devastating for not only the AMC but the northern economy.
"The Liberal Government failed to secure this contract because it failed in the crucial job of representing Tasmania's best interests and there is no getting around that fact.
"All we have seen from Minister Rockliff is a press release several months ago warning Queensland to keep its hands off. This sort of important business cannot be done by press release at a time when it was known the Queensland Government had been lobbying very hard.
"Jeremy Rockliff's non-attempt at making excuses today - doing nothing more than to confirm Tasmania has lost a competitive tender process – are hollow, weak and meaningless."
Michelle O'Byrne MP
Deputy Labor Leader, Shadow Minister for Economic Development and Jobs
