Govt coy on claims new Spirit ferry could be used as ‘floating refugee camp’

The state government has failed to rule out leasing the Spirit of Tasmania IV to the Scottish government as a floating refugee camp for displaced Ukrainians.

Spirit of Tasmania IV docked in Leith Scotland. Picture: Tyson Scott

The state government has failed to rule out leasing the Spirit of Tasmania IV to the Scottish government as a floating refugee camp for displaced Ukrainians.

The Scottish government has used two ships, the MS Ambition and the MS Victoria as temporary accommodation for hundreds of Ukranian refugees at the same berth where the Spirit now sits.

The vessel is docked in Scotland awaiting the completion of berthing facilities in Devonport. The government is seeking an operator for a short-term charter.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff would neither confirm or deny the reports a deal was close to being reached.

Tasmanian Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Look I’m not going to pre-empt negotiations,” Mr Rockliff said.

“Negotiations are underway, and it would be premature to talk about the outcome of those negotiations and unduly influence that process.

“It’s very important that TT-Line engage in good negotiations and provide the best possible outcome and that’s what I’m focused on — and focused on giving Tasmanians the best value for money when it comes to leasing arrangements.

“And if that’s not possible, then, of course, bringing the Spirit back to Tasmania.”

Mr Rockliff said he would release the details of any deal when it was finalised.

“When there are details to put forward to the Tasmanian community, when the outcome of negotiations are known, then, of course,” he said.

Labor leader Dean Winter said the Spirits project had been mismanaged from the beginning.

Labor leader Dean Winter.

“What’s come out today from Jeremy Rockliff is extremely concerning,’ he said.

“Jeremy Rockliff is refusing to rule out using our ship we paid almost half a billion dollars for as effectively a floating refugee camp.

“I’m really concerned about where this project is heading.

“This is a premier that bailed out a Finnish ship builder with $80m of Tasmanian taxpayer dollars.

“He then forgot to build a berth and that’s delayed the project by years and now he’s looking to lease out our ship for effectively, our floating refugee camp, instead of bringing it home to Tasmania.

“If the Premier goes ahead and does this, when our ship comes to Tasmania, eventually it’ll be second hand, and it won’t be the new ship the Tasmanians were promised.”

Mr Winter urged the Premier to abandon the plan and bring the ship to Tasmania.

A TT-Line spokesman said negotiations around the ship were ongoing and confidential.

Originally published as Govt coy on claims new Spirit ferry could be used as ‘floating refugee camp’