SeaLink has employed a lobbyist as competition for the Kangaroo island route hots up
KANGAROO Island ferry operator SeaLink Travel Group has employed a lobbyist ahead of plans for a competing ferry operation to service the island.
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KANGAROO Island ferry operator SeaLink Travel Group has employed a lobbyist ahead of plans for a competing ferry operation to service the island.
SeaLink has employed Capetal Advisory, with the update made to the State Government’s register of lobbyists this month.
SeaLink has long enjoyed a monopoly on sea-based travel to the island, albeit not for lack of competitors who have tried to establish competing operations over the years.
Kangaroo Island Connect is the latest of these, with the company originally planning to start a service this month using $1.6 million Tasmanian-built catamaran to carry up to 95 passengers between Penneshaw and Cape Jervis.
The company had planned to start operations before Christmas. KIC managing director David Harris said yesterday the plans had been delayed by about a month.
A spokeswoman for Transport and Infrastructure Minister Stephen Mullighan said the company had received approval to start its operations.
SeaLink said in a statement yesterday : “SeaLink thinks it is important for the company to have good relationships with governments in all the states in which it operates and believes Capetal Advisory will assist in this area”.
Mr Harris told The Advertiser in October the company was challenging SeaLink’s domination of the water highway and had plans to start its own linked car hire company.
Capetal Advisory knows the transport sector well with principal Matt Clemow previously servicing as chief of staff to former Transport Minister Patrick Conlon, himself also now a lobbyist.
In other moves on the Register of Lobbyists in December, Richardson Coutts removed four clients: Jagermeister, Optus, Royal Caribbean Cruises and AirBnb.
Richardson Coutts gained two affiliated clients, Sydney-based Turn Key Education Solutions and Sky Education group.
Turn Key’s website says it provides internships and work placements for foreign workers in Australia.
Lobbyist Hawker Britton removed clients including: Lion, Vector, Australian Packaging Covenant, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and the Institute of Public Accountants.
It gained Bianco Reinforcing and Heathgate Resources.
Lobbyist Etched removed ACER Australia as a client.
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