We must build the Spirit of Tasmania here

Right now we have an opportunity to grow that industry and create skilled jobs for Tasmanians by building the new Spirit of Tasmania here, writes John Short

THIS year, the Tasmanian government announced it was setting up a taskforce to examine the possibility of bringing the new TT-Line Spirit of Tasmania build back to Tasmania.

But rather than supporting government investment in local business, local jobs and local workers, the public commentary has featured a conga-line of naysayers who seem to be ignorant of Tasmania’s 200 years of shipbuilding history.

This commentary is shortsighted and demonstrates a profound lack of imagination and vision – two things we’ll need to recover from the coronavirus pandemic.

Shipbuilding has been a significant part of Tasmania’s economy since colonisation, with the first ships built here in 1813. We have a shipbuilding industry that is the envy of many countries around the world. From Richardson Devine and Crisp Brothers down in Kettering, to Incat in Hobart who produce some of the best vessels afloat, to Taylor Brothers life raft systems manufacturers, the ships and vessels that we manufacture from the ground up are world class.

The Spirit of Tasmania 1. Picture: Alan Barber

Right now we have an opportunity to grow that industry and create skilled jobs for Tasmanians by building the new Spirit of Tasmania here.

South Australia has shown us how this can be done. The Osborne shipyards in Adelaide are now responsible for manufacturing and maintaining the bulk of Australia’s naval vessels, including submarines, frigates, and offshore patrol vessels.

Prior to the 1980s, when the South Australian government decided to pursue the contract for the Collins Class submarines, Adelaide had very little shipbuilding industry.

The government of the day had optimism, confidence and foresight. They believed in the skills and ability of the workforce and in the capacity and capability of their industry. They pursued and won the submarine bid, and they invested in the infrastructure to complete the builds. Now shipbuilding employs thousands of South Australians.

We need that same type of optimism and belief here in Tasmania.

The Spirit of Tasmania 1 made its first trip to Geelong Port, travelling along the Bellarine coast near Drysdale before crossing the bay in front of the city and berthing at Corio Quay. Dozens of locals came out to have a look at the visitor. Picture: Alan Barber

The West Australian government is extending their ship lift at the moment. This will mean that the hull for the Spirit of Tasmania could be built in Perth, while the superstructure, fit out, and commissioning could be completed here in Tasmania.

This is a once in a generation opportunity to grow our local shipbuilding industry.

COVID-19 has exposed the dangers of having an economy that is overly reliant on hospitality and tourism. To be resilient to future shocks, we need to diversify our economy. That starts with making the most of opportunities like this one.

Tasmanian workers are skilled and capable. Our manufacturers are world-class. Building the Spirit of Tasmania here will create the highly skilled jobs we desperately need to kickstart our economy.

Our taxpayer dollars should be spent here, creating jobs for Tasmanians and supporting our local industry, not sent offshore to prop up overseas economies.

Now is the time to be bold and to believe in Tasmanian workers.

We must build the Spirit of Tasmania here.

John Short is secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union (AMWU) Tasmanian Branch.