A Dean Winter Labor Government will deliver a Fresh Start for the Spirit of Tasmania vessels by fuelling them with locally produced Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) - supporting jobs, cutting emissions, and finally realising the full potential of our new Spirits.
The dual-fuel Spirits were designed to run on LNG, but the Liberals want to keep them running on dirty diesel.
Labor will issue a Ministerial Direction to TT-Line to secure LNG refuelling at Devonport and commit to running the Spirits on LNG. The necessary space at the port has already been reserved, and a long-term supply agreement will give operators the confidence to invest.
This plan grows the economy, creates jobs, and supports Tasmania's clean energy future - without costing the State Budget a cent. With two years needed to prepare the infrastructure, the time to act is now.
By making this decision, Labor will:
- Trigger more than $70 million private investment to upgrade LNG facilities in Devonport.
- Create 150 construction jobs, and 15 ongoing jobs.
- Support Tasmania's clean, green image by slashing emissions from one of the state's top five emitters.
- Guarantee long-term fuel price certainty and energy security for TT-Line.
- Unlock LNG supply opportunities for regional industries.
The Liberals have made a mess of the Spirits, but Labor is ready to clean it up. It's time for a Fresh Start - for the Spirits, for the North-West, and for Tasmania.
Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Anita Dow MP
Deputy Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
