Ferguson defiant over Spirit of Tasmania ferries furore
Acting Premier Michael Ferguson hit back at accusations, saying TT-Line failed to deliver the troubled replacement Spirits and we’ve all been let down.
Tasmania
Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Acting Premier Michael Ferguson says evidence given by TT-Line bosses about the troubled replacement Spirit of Tasmania ferries showed the attitudes he was dealing with trying to keep the project on track.
Former TT-Line chairman Michael Grainger told the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday that the ferry operated had not been supported by government and slowed by TasPorts.
But Mr Ferguson said the evidence reflected the difficulties he had faced as shareholder minister.
“We all saw on full display the sorts of challenges we’ve had to deal with, particularly given the relationship between TT-Line and TasPorts,” he told ABC radio on Wednesday.
“The culture and the attitudes that were on display yesterday are the culture and attitude we’ve had to deal with and they have been very challenging.
“What you are seeing there is a response to us holding them accountable for not getting this done.”
Mr Ferguson said he had taken all prudent steps to ensure the new ferries project and the associated infrastructure was delivered on time and on budget.
“We’ve all been let down. The culture and the attitudes we saw yesterday, I think people will see they contributed to the mess,” he said.
“I developed my own concerns … I started raising those concerns with TT-Line, I’ll tell you one thing, I was scoffed at.
“They said: ‘Minster ‘Do you know something we don’t know?’ The rest is history. They’ve failed to deliver and we’ve all been let down.”
TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald contradicted the evidence given by TT-Line about the Devonport terminal construction that the port operator refused to build the berth upgrades.
“TasPorts made multiple offers to TT-Line to manage both its work package and the Terminal 3 project which were rejected by TT-Line,” he said in a statement.
“These offers included appointing additional project managers and modifying consultancy agreements, as well as detailed project schedules to assist. TasPorts was firmly of the view that managing both projects would deliver both project and fiscal efficiencies.
“TT-Line’s Terminal 3 site was vacant and available for access up until December 2022, and then facilitated access was provided once TasPorts’ contractor was on site undertaking project works.”
Member for Clark Kristie Johnston added her voice to calls for Mr Ferguson to resign.
“Minister Ferguson has overseen an infrastructure stuff-up of monumental proportions that has, and will continue, to cost Tasmanians greatly.
“Furthermore, I believe he has misled Parliament in an attempt to avoid responsibility.
“Tasmanians deserve nothing but the highest standards of integrity and honesty from Ministers of the Crown. Minister Ferguson has failed them. The community tell me that they feel let down by him and don’t trust him.
“Michael Ferguson’s position as a Minister, Treasurer, and Deputy Premier is untenable in these circumstances.”
Greens Transport spokeswoman Helen Burnet said Mr Ferguson had questions to answer.
“Michael Ferguson has been the sole responsible shareholder minister during the period which saw cost blowouts and delays in delivering the new ferries and berths.
“His ineptitude in managing this critical project has been shocking, and now he has a lot of questions to answer about whether he’s been transparent with Parliament – especially given he’s still a shareholder Minister to the ferries debacle he’s overseen.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Ferguson defiant over Spirit of Tasmania ferries furore
One and done: Hobart music festival canned
After just one year the organisers of a Hobart summer musical festival have announced plans to can it. Here’s why HAYDAYS will not go ahead in 2024 >>
Metro ramps up recruitment, can’t say when services will be restored
Amid an ongoing driver shortage, Metro Tasmania has taken its recruitment efforts up a notch – but it still can’t commit to a timeline for the restoration of 180 suspended services.
Spirit of Tassie is a big, unholy mess
Trying to keep track of what’s happened with the Spirit of Tasmania saga? Political editor David Killick breaks down the key moments
Opposition threatens action after Spirit bosses’ revelations
The Premier “must act”, Labor says, after damning testimony given by TT-Line bosses on Tuesday. The opposition’s threat >>
Four mayors take aim at abandoned Tasman Bridge plans
The four Greater Hobart mayors have taken aim at the state government’s track record on public transport infrastructure, after one particular project was scrapped. What they said.
Council tried to sting developer with $900k condition
A Southern Tasmanian council tried to make it a condition for a developer to pay $900k to approve a major subdivision project. Here’s why that was considered unreasonable.