Pour Spirit lease revenues straight back into Tasmanian tourism, says independent David O’Byrne
A warning has been fired over where income generated by leasing brand-new Spirit of Tasmania ferries will go. Here’s what one powerful crossbencher wants to see, and he has backing.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Independent parliamentarian David O’Byrne has called for revenues generated by any leasing of the brand new Spirit vessels to be channelled directly to Tasmanian tourism operators impacted by the delayed transport project.
As Mr O’Byrne’s idea was backed by the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the powerful crossbencher fired a fresh warning shot across the government’s bows over the $900 million ferries fiasco, demanding the minority Liberals “take seriously” his call to sack the boards and senior executives at TT-Line and TasPorts, or face the consequences of an increasingly hostile parliament.
Just a week after Mr O’Byrne’s loss of confidence in former treasurer Michael Ferguson triggered the then-Deputy Premier’s resignation from cabinet, the member for Franklin said Tasmanian voters had been appalled by the billion-dollar infrastructure debacle, and expected all those in charge to be held accountable.
Speaking exclusively with the Mercury, Mr O’Byrne said while he had been heartened by the manner in which Premier Jeremy Rockliff had taken responsibility for the ferries debacle on Thursday – announcing a tourism industry support fund, and the government’s intention to temporarily lease the ships overseas – the high-profile independent reiterated the demand he first made in parliament last week for GBE bosses to step aside.
“I think people regarded my call as a bit of a radical response to what happened,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“But these organisations need to be held to account for their … incompetence.
“The average person in the street in Tasmania is asking how people are still in their roles after overseeing this absolutely appalling set of circumstances.
“And one that is costing Tasmanian taxpayers hundreds of million dollars of lost economic opportunity.”
On Thursday, the Premier announced that Devonport berth facilities for the $900 million Spirit replacement vessels might not be available until February 2027, describing the situation as “regrettable”.
Mr O’Byrne said he was not alone in seeking fundamental reform of the state’s government business enterprises, saying it had become increasingly forgotten that the true owners of the organisations were not shareholding ministers, but the Tasmanian people.
The former infrastructure minister said the Premier needed to gauge the public sentiment over the ferries scandal – and the genuine outrage inside parliament – when considering his demand to vacate the boards of TasPorts and TT-Line.
“The government should take it seriously, and they need to act,” Mr O’Byrne said.
“I think there’s broad support for significant change.
“And the fact that we have a crossbench which is not just made up of the Greens, but a range of opinions, has actually created a circumstance where the ministers are now fully accountable to the parliament.
“And while voters don’t want crisis and disruption, they do demand accountability.
“So my message to all ministers and all parliamentarians is that if we get into these areas again, regardless of the circumstances, I will not hesitate to withdraw my support.
“I’m not threatening a withdrawal of support, but each issue needs to be taken on its merits.”
Mr O’Byrne also said it was vital that the Tasmanian government follow through with its intention to mitigate some of the financial impact of the delayed Spirits program by leasing the vessels to an interstate or overseas operator.
A global maritime expert told the Mercury that Tasmania could potentially generate “significant” revenues by leasing the ferries on busy international routes, but said there were also advantages to putting the vessels in storage.
“A two-year charter would be a possibility, but I would be cautious as it could take time to establish, and may not eventuate,” IBS Global chief executive John Aitkenhead said.
“Storing the vessels in Tasmania could certainly make sense as the period could potentially be used for crew training and initial route trials and the vessels would enter service brand new.”
In backing Mr O’Byrne proposal for any lease revenues to be channelled directly to struggling tourism operators, TCCI boss Michael Bailey urged the government to consult affected businesses when designing a long-term rescue package.
“I think David O’Byrne’s ideas are really worth considering and I’d encourage the government to reach out to him to begin that discussion about making sure that revenue from any lease is put to best use and is channelled towards those businesses that are most impacted,” Mr Bailey said.
“What’s also important is that the government sits down with business and designs a package together that will deliver for our community.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Pour Spirit lease revenues straight back into Tasmanian tourism, says independent David O’Byrne
Join the conversation
Man, 31, extradited from QLD on child abuse charges
Queensland police assisted Tasmanian officers to find a man who is facing charges in relation to alleged sexual abuse of a child. The details.
Read more
Canberra powerbrokers target former Labor leader for Lyons
Brian Mitchell has clung onto his federal seat of Lyons at the last election, but could he be ousted for former Tasmanian Labor leader Rebecca White? What the experts predict.
Read more