TASMANIAN Labor leader Dean Winter has promised to reveal all financial details of the troubled Spirit of Tasmania replacements and associated infrastructure problems.
Mr Winter used the Spirit controversies as a key reason for moving a successful motion of no confidence in Liberal premier Jeremy Rockliff on 9 June. Mr Rockliff refused to stand down and then called a snap election, which is being held tomorrow.
Yesterday [17 July] Mr Winter said that if elected, Labor would release full details of the cost of storing Spirit of Tasmania IV in Leith, Scotland – while owner TT Line sought a charter of the vessel, eventually abandoned at government direction – as well as an expected bailout of TT Line, which will exceed its borrowing limits imminently.
The company told the Public Accounts Committee earlier in the year that it expected to breach its $990 million borrowing limit by October and might need an equity injection before then.
Mr Winter claims Mr Rockliff and the government have covered-up expenditure on the ferries and the new TT Line East Devonport terminal, completion of which is not expected until October 2026 meaning the new ro-paxes cannot enter service and will be laid up, most likely in Hobart.
A government spokesperson said Mr Winter’s pledge to release the information within 48 hours of being elected was “just more political games by Labor. Costings will be released in full when they are finalised."
Spirit of Tasmania IV left Leith on 30 June and is currently off the West African coast after bunkering in Gibraltar on 5 July. And at Mindelo in the Cape Verde Islands on 9/7. It is due in Cape Town 24/7.
Spirit of Tasmania V remains in Rauma after delivery by builders RMC and will stay there until its sister arrives in Australia, releasing the delivery crew to return to Finland.