The government needs to explain a lack of action on the introduction of the River Derwent ferry service.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shane Broad said opening an EOI for private operators for a one-year trial is an admission of government inaction for two and a half years.
"What the government has announced today should have been done on day one of investigating the viability of ferries on the River Derwent.
"Metro Tasmania commissioned a report released over a year ago, saying the project didn't have enough funding from the government to make it viable long-term.
"Clearly, the government hasn't come to the table, negotiations with Metro have fallen through and they've lost interest in partnering on the project - otherwise why would there need to be an EOI process?
"Michael Ferguson said the EOI is 'proof of life' for the proposal - but it's clear it is yet another infrastructure project that's been touched by his trademark kiss of death.
"And in the mean time there is still no proposed solution to the traffic congestion that plagues residents of Hobart.
"The River Derwent ferry is another addition to the list of zombie projects, including the fifth lane on Hobart's Southern Outlet, the Bridgewater Bridge replacement and the underground bus mall, sitting idly by due to Michael Ferguson's trademark incompetence.
Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
