TT-Line revelations ignite threats of a vote of no-confidence in the government from Labor

The Premier “must act”, Labor says, after damning testimony given by TT-Line bosses on Tuesday. The opposition’s threat >>

Bernard Dwyer CEO TT-Line CEO. TT-Line Spirits Project Inquiry at parliament house. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Labor has foreshadowed a vote of no-confidence in Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson when parliament returns next week.

Opposition leader Dean Winter said the former chair and CEO of TT-Line had given damning testimony at the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday.

“The evidence presented demonstrates that Mr Ferguson was fully aware of and responsible for the biggest infrastructure stuff up in Tasmanian history, then he misled parliament about his knowledge and involvement in it,” he said.

Labor Leader Dean Winter with fellow MPs Anita Dow and Shane Broad at the Spirit of Tasmania terminal at East Devonport. Picture: Simon McGuire.

Mr Winter said the evidence had demonstrated that Mr Ferguson knew about serious problems with the project Line well before the election was called, contrary to his statements to parliament.

“Misleading parliament and Parliamentary committees are a breach of the Ministerial Code of Conduct and contrary to the Standing Orders of the House of Assembly. Minister Ferguson must be held accountable by the Premier,” Mr Winter said.

“The Premier must act on Minister Ferguson. If he doesn’t, the parliament will have a very big decision to make next week.”

Mr Ferguson did not respond to Tuesday’s evidence. A government spokesman issued a statement on behalf of the Acting Premier.

Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson. Picture: Linda Higginson

“There was no evidence provided this morning that refutes any previous comments made by government ministers,” he said.

“The government was not provided with formal advice or confirmation in relation to revised time frames until after the caretaker period – during which time TT-Line rescinded its preferred tenderer, without advising the government.

“Mr Winter continues to shamefully distort people’s words and statements for political gain, but unfortunately the facts will always bring him undone.

“Mr Winter is re-running claims that have been comprehensively dealt with in the past.

“While Labor are hellbent on continuing their relentless negativity, the Government is getting on with the job of delivering the new vessels — which is what Tasmanians care about.”

The Jacqui Lambie Network saw things differently.

“Mike Grainger and Bernard Dwyer confirm what Senator Lambie has said all along: Michael Ferguson is incompetent and must be held accountable,” the party said in a statement.

“The evidence presented by TT-Line’s former Chair and outgoing CEO tells a story about a Minister who unilaterally stuffed up, and he must be held accountable.

“It is beyond comprehension that this kind of blunder goes without any accountability.”

TasPorts refused to build new Spirit berth: outgoing chief

Government-owned ports operator TasPorts refused to build berthing infrastructure for the new TT-Line ferries because it didn’t want to spend the money, a Parliamentary Committee has heard.

The state’s largest-ever infrastructure project has been plagued by delays and cost overruns amid infighting between TT-Line and TasPorts.

The new ferries will be forced to operate at reduced capacity until the local port facilities are ready some time in 2026.

TT-Line’s outgoing CEO Bernard Dwyer told the Public Account Committee on Tuesday that the ferry operator never wanted to to build the berthing facilities.

The new TT Line boat Spirit of Tasmania IV in Finland. Picture: Rauma Marine Constructions

“We really did not have a choice, we were pushed into a corner by TasPorts who did not want to do it, did not want to pay for it,” he said.

“We would have preferred, as we’ve done with Geelong port site, for TasPorts or the port owner do the infrastructure, agree to a 30-year lease, which is the normal process of ports around the world and which is the same with our current berth at berth one.”

“As recently as April this year in the State Growth committee I had that conversation with State Growth and TasPorts and said, ‘Why don’t you take it over? Why don’t you pay for it and do it?

“At that point, the CEO said ‘Yes, actually, we’ll look at that’, then within 24 hours came back and said: ‘No, the board do not want to pay for it’

“I think the words were ‘we don’t have the appetite for taking any costs of this project on’.”

Earlier, former TT-Line chairman Michael Grainger said efforts to upgrade berth three in Devonport had been thwarted because the company was blocked from access by TasPorts.

Mike Grainger former chair. TT-Line Spirits Project inquiry at parliament house Hobart. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“We made it clear to our shareholder Minister back in 2022 that we remain sceptical of the ability to complete our requirements due to the lack of support from TasPorts,” he said.

“During each ministerial briefing, which always followed each board meeting, the minister was advised that the situation with Devonport berth and TasPorts.

“At one stage I said – and the CEO and the CFO were in this meeting – I said to Minister Ferguson, I think it was November or December last year, certainly before caretaker mode, I said ‘Minister, our single biggest risk in this whole project is TasPorts and berth three and at this stage we’ll be bringing both ships into Hobart and anchoring them in the Derwent’.

“Minister Ferguson replied that I needed to learn to play in the sandpit with TasPorts.”

Mr Grainger said TT-Line was a ferry operator, not a port builder and contrasted the smooth construction of port facilities in Geelong with the fiasco at Devonport.

“Whether it’s TT-Line, whether it’s the Port of Burnie, whether it’s the Antarctic Division, TasPorts has some form — and we learned the hard way,” he said.

Originally published as TT-Line revelations ignite threats of a vote of no-confidence in the government from Labor