TasPorts bonuses spark political furore

The TasPorts executives who played a key role in the fiasco surrounding the berthing facilities for the new Spirit of Tasmania might still get bonuses, Labor says.

Anthony Donald CEO TasPorts. GBE hearings 2024. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

TasPorts executives might still receive bonuses this year despite their role in the fiasco surrounding berthing facilities for the new TT-Line ferries, Labor says.

The delivery of two new ferries for the Bass Strait run has been delayed after the government-owned ferry and port operators failed to organise appropriate berthing facilities in Devonport.

TasPorts CEO Anthony Donald received $48,000 in bonus payments in the 2023/24 financial year.

In state parliament on September 19 last year, Labor’s Anita Dow asked if bonuses would be paid in the 2024/25 financial year.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff said he would not approve bonuses if he was asked.

Premier Jeremy Rockliff. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“I am advised by the Chair that the TasPorts board is considering whether to provide management with additional remuneration this year,” he said.

“The government has not yet received a request.

“I am advised by the chair of the TasPorts … that I will receive a formal request shortly.

“I want to be clear that I will not be approving any request should it be received …”

An answer to a subsequent question on notice revealed that Mr Rockliff’s answer related only to additional bonuses outside the existing pay arrangements.

“The Premier’s comments regarding bonus payments were in response to proposed additional retention bonuses associated with the Devonport East Berth 1 Modifications Project which sat outside the remuneration framework and would have require Treasurer approval,” the response to the question on notice said.

“The comments were unrelated to existing remuneration arrangements.”

A government spokeswoman said Mr Rockliff had no been asked to approve any bonuses and had not approved any.

Minister Nick Duigan.

Labor's Luke Edmunds.

Liberal minister Nick Duigan said “any contractual payments that need to be met to our GBE executives would be met”.

Shadow Finance Minister Luke Edmunds said it was hard to believe bonuses might be under consideration.

“The Spirits fiasco has become a source of international embarrassment for Tasmania, and saw the TCCI famously declare it would be difficult to ever trust the Rockliff minority government again,” Mr Edmunds said.

“The fact that the Premier appears to have gone back on his word and will pay out bonuses to executives involved in the stuff-up is more proof that the business community was spot on in their assessment.

“Jeremy Rockliff can’t manage money. He’s bankrupted the state with wasteful spending like this and now he’s selling off Tasmania’s assets to pay down his debt.”

Originally published as TasPorts bonuses spark political furore