Michael Ferguson must explain how a Tasmanian government businesses has ended up on the wrong side of legal proceedings alleging anti-competitive behaviour.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shane Broad said the first case management hearing will take place tomorrow, before Justice Davies.
"The ACCC's court action sends the wrong message about the governance of Tasmania's government business enterprises.
"The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is not a radical body, it's a very conservative group, and for them to take this action is significant.
"Given the behaviour in question dates back to 2017, Michael Ferguson has questions to answer in terms of what he knew, when he knew, and what steps he's taken to satisfy himself that TasPorts was acting appropriately."
The government appears to have deliberately avoided scrutiny on this issue, with questions about competitor access to TasPorts facilities sidestepped at GBE scrutiny hearings in December last year.
Dr Broad said the alleged breach of competition law would now attract national attention.
"It's deeply disappointing that a Tasmanian government business will be the test case for Australia's amended misuse of market power provision, designed to address anti-competitive behaviour.
"We won't prejudge any outcome, but it's important that Tasmanians can be reassured that the governance of our GBEs is of the highest standard.
"These legal proceedings create a question mark over the governance of TasPorts, and the government's effective oversight of the business."
Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
