Ferry McFerryface wasn’t public pick for new ferry name until Andrew Constance’s ‘captain’s pick’
THE farce over the Ferry McFerryface name continues with another backflip from Transport Minister Andrew Constance, who has now announced the ferry will be known as the “May Gibbs” after the famous children’s author.
NSW
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TRANSPORT Minister Andrew Constance has been forced to dump his captain’s pick to name a Sydney ferry Ferry McFerryface after coming under sustained fire from maritime workers and the public for the flippant choice.
Mr Constance switched the vessel to “May Gibbs”, after it was revealed not even the public had voted for Ferry McFerryface after the government spent $100,000 to run a competition to name the vote.
The revelations were contained in a Freedom of Information request by Channel 9.
Mr Constance told The Daily Telegraph he’d “kept a close eye” on the feedback and that it became obvious over summer the name had to change.
Mr Constance — fresh from narrowly dodging a train strike on Monday — said the maritime workforce had a “major issue” with the name.
He said he had always told MUA boss Paul Garrett that he’d see how reaction to the name played out over the summer.
Opposition transport spokeswoman Jodi McKay said it was time for Mr Constance to stand aside as he had lost all credibility.
“We know Andrew Constance can’t run a train network but now it’s clear he can’t even run a competition to name a ferry,” Ms McKay said.
“He flat out lied about the competition repeatedly saying Ferry McFerryface was the popular choice when he knew it was anything but.
The Nine Freedom of Information documents reported the name McFerryface attracted just 182 votes compared with Clean Up Australia founder Ian Kiernan garnering 2025 eligible votes.
But in a statement last night Mr Constance’s office said media reports were “incorrect” about the ferry naming process.
A spokeswoman said the first round of votes for names showed Ferry McFerryface received 229 nominations and Ian Kiernan received 17.
“The second round of public voting did not include Ferry McFerry Face as an option,” the statement said.
Mr Kieran last night told The Daily Telegraph the Minister had “made a hash” of the naming process.
“I didn’t ask for my name to be put forward but the people voted for it. He deserves to have his are kicked from here to Broken Hill.”