Who is telling the truth? Michael Ferguson or TT-Line over Spirit of Tasmania replacement sage
Who is telling the truth? The Mercury has fact checked four contested statements in the Spirit of Tasmania replacement ferry saga.
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Did Michael Ferguson mislead parliament over the TT Line ferries project? The Mercury checks four contested statements against evidence given by other witnesses.
When did Michael Ferguson know the ferries would be significantly delayed:
“TT-Line’s advice prior to the government going into caretaker was interim berth readiness and the new Spirit going into service in August 2024.”
Michael Ferguson, letter to Public Accounts Committee, 24 August 2024.
“We fully expect it [the first ship] to be taken into ownership by us in June and have it in Tasmanian waters through late July and into service in August.”
Michael Grainger, Government Business Enterprise hearings, November 2023.
When did Michael Ferguson know of the significant delays to the timeline for Berth 3?
“At the commencement of the caretaker period, which commenced 14 February 2024, the most recent advice that I had received from TT-Line continued to indicate that the portside infrastructure works were still expected to be completed in August 2024, in time for the arrival of the first vessel.”
Michael Ferguson, parliament, August 12, 2024.
“On 17 November [2023], the CEO and I advised the Minister that the project is in reasonable shape, notwithstanding ongoing delays in access by TasPorts, and the company is looking at different options to ensure ships get into service as early as practical.”
TT-Line chairman Michael Grainger, PAC evidence, June 28 2024.
“In terms of the Devonport berth, we made it clear to our shareholder Minister back in 2022 that we remain sceptical of the ability to complete our requirements due to the lack of support from TasPorts.”
TT-Line chairman Michael Grainger, PAC, October 8, 2024.
When did Mr Ferguson first become aware of significant financial issues with shipbuilder RMC and $81m bailout payment to the Finnish shipbuilder?
“The earliest indication to me of potential issues was in a verbal conversation with the TT-Line chairman and CEO on 21 December 2023, in which they indicated TT-Line held early concerns about the financial circumstances of RMC.”
Michael Ferguson, parliament, May 21, 2024.
“Going back to the 21 December meeting, we had a verbal conversation with the Treasurer, our minister, where we indicated we held early concerns about the financial circumstances of RMC. That was on 21 December at that monthly ministerial briefing.”
Michael Grainger, PAC, 28 June 2024.
Did Mr Ferguson mislead a committee about the first contract price change in April 2022?
“It is a fixed-price contract. There is not a view the price has changed.”
Michael Ferguson, GBE hearings, 1 December 2022.
“The contract with RMC is a fixed-price contract. Whatever is in the contract is fixed with RMC, so it won’t go over budget.”
TT-Line CEO Bernard Dwyer, GBE hearings, 1 December 2022.
Ferguson’s fate rests with Independent MPs
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