Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson rejects claims he misled parliament over Spirit of Tasmania saga

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson has vehemently rejected claims that he misled parliament over the botched delivery of the replacement Spirit of Tasmania ferries. Also, another resignation.

The controversy over the Spirit of Tasmania replacement project continued on Tuesday as former Infrastucture Minister Michael Ferguson and Opposition Dean Winter verbally sparred over the botched delivery of the vessels. Pictured here, Spirit of Tasmanian IV first sea trial. Picture: Spirit of Tasmania

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson has defended himself against Labor’s claims that he made misleading comments regarding the botched delivery of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels, labelling his chief critic, Opposition Leader Dean Winter, as “gutless”.

In Question Time on Tuesday, the former Infrastructure Minister took umbrage with Mr Winter’s suggestions that he had misled parliament about his knowledge of “key information” relating to the delayed Spirits project, which has been beset with cost blowouts.

Referring to evidence given by interim TT-Line chairman Damian Bugg in a parliamentary inquiry on Monday, the Opposition Leader told Premier Jeremy Rockliff that the minutes of a meeting between Mr Ferguson and TT-Line management “showed that [the minister] had been … informed” of issues with the project, despite asserting publicly that he had been “kept in the dark” about certain matters.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Given this evidence … what steps are you taking to satisfy yourself that the minister has always been truthful to the parliament, or are you too paralysed by your own government’s instability to insist upon the most basic levels of integrity and honesty in your government?” he asked the Premier.

Mr Rockliff said any minister who believed they needed to correct the record “will do so” and highlighted Mr Ferguson’s delivery of the Royal Hobart Hospital redevelopment, the new Bridgewater Bridge, and Midland Highway upgrades.

When answering an unrelated question from independent Braddon MP Craig Garland, Mr Ferguson took the opportunity to respond to Mr Winter’s allegations, saying he was “gutless” for not asking him questions directly.

Acting Chairperson of TT-Line Damian Bugg. Picture: Linda Higginson

“I would never lie or mislead this parliament or a committee. I want to make that very clear,” he said.

“The trickery and twisting of other people’s words in committee hearings that we have been witnessing by the Leader of the Opposition and the shadow treasurer is deplorable.”

Mr Winter said the Deputy Premier should have made a ministerial statement to the House of Assembly on Tuesday but “refused to do so”.

Meanwhile, it emerged in parliament that another TT-Line board member, Anna McMahon, had resigned last month. It’s understood she stepped down prior to the resignation of chairman Mike Grainger, who was asked to quit by the government after appearing to dispute evidence given to the Public Accounts Committee by Mr Ferguson.

The state-owned company’s long-time CEO, Bernard Dwyer, also announced his resignation on Monday.

Mr Ferguson himself relinquished the infrastructure portfolio in late August, saying he wished to end the “blame game” arising from the Spirits saga.

Dean Winter, Labor Leader. Picture: Caroline Tan

TT-Line and the government have faced intense scrutiny over the bungled delivery of the new Spirit vessels, with the cost of port upgrades at Devonport having increased from $90m to $375m.

The Liberals pledged seven years ago to deliver the ferries “two years ahead of schedule” by 2021, which never happened. The first vessel is expected to arrive in Tasmania later this year, and the second in the first quarter of 2025, with both set to operate at reduced capacity initially due to delays to port upgrades.

Originally published as Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson rejects claims he misled parliament over Spirit of Tasmania saga