Infrastructure Minister Michael Ferguson has been left red faced by his government's own admission that no Australian ship yards could build the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels.
Labor Shadow Minister for Infrastructure Shane Broad said it was concerning that the Minister could not state how many Tasmanian jobs would be created as a result of the decision to delay the Spirit of Tasmania replacement until 2028.
In fact, the Liberal Government's own promotional material from 2018 suggests Tasmanian jobs will be put at risk as a result of constrained growth in the tourism and high-value agriculture and aquaculture industries.
"It was bad enough that the Liberals broke their promise to have two new vessels operating on Bass Strait by 2021 but now Michael Ferguson can't even answer basic questions about his plans," Dr Broad said.
"At a time when the tourism industry and freight companies need certainty, Michael Ferguson failed to explain what Australian ship builder has the capacity to build the new ships or how many Tasmanian jobs would be created if they do go ahead.
"If the government doesn't have this information, it must explain why it ignored the expert advice of the TT-Line Board and sacrificed jobs that could have been created by expediting the vessels' construction.
"Even more concerning, Mr Ferguson refused to even commit to the two new monohull ships promised by the government before the last election
"Without this commitment, we can't even be sure that the existing Spirits will be replaced with an adequate service, even though modelling has previously shown the growth expected in freight and tourism is reliant on new ships with increased capacity.
"This government needs to stop hiding behind COVID-19 and spell out its plans to give tourism and freight companies the certainty they need and deserve, and to get on with creating jobs for Tasmanians."
Shane Broad
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure
