After months of secrecy and uncertainty the government today announced its decision to move the Spirit of Tasmania ferry berth from Station Pier in Melbourne to Geelong.
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Shane Broad, said the Government's decision to authorise such a significant move in the middle of the coronavirus crisis is questionable.
"Changing the Spirit of Tasmania's ferry berth from Station Pier to Geelong is a major decision that will have serious implications for the state's tourism, freight and domestic travel," Dr Broad said.
"This is already a period of incredible uncertainty for the Spirit of Tasmania business, with no guarantees that land-based jobs will be protected with passenger numbers plummeting as a result of the impact of Covid-19.
"There was no clarity from today's announcement as to when the new Spirits will be delivered and how much they will cost. We don't even know if a construction contract has been signed.
"There are significant questions that remain unanswered about this move – particularly in relation to the lease arrangements at the Geelong port, including the cost and duration of the lease, and the attitude of passengers towards the move. Some market research has been done, but with passenger numbers severely impacted by Covid-19, the ability to communicate this decision to tourism customers is limited.
"Decisions relating to the operations of the Spirit of Tasmania service have been shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty for months and Tasmanians deserve more transparency from the Government on the matter.
"This service doesn't belong to the Government - it belongs to all Tasmanians who deserve to have their concerns listened to and questions answered."
Shane Broad MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
