The delivery of two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels has faced significant scrutiny over its repeated delays and cost blowouts. The former chair of the ferry operator has now taken aim at the government over its 'appalling' support
The former chair of Spirit of Tasmania operator, TT-Line, has appeared at a parliamentary inquiry and slammed the Tasmanian government for its "appalling" level of support during the bungled rollout of two new vessels.
He had earlier put his name to a press release, declaring he would be "setting the record straight" at a parliamentary inquiry.But as he drove, Mr Grainger had a missed call from Transport Minister Eric Abetz, who left a voice mail suggesting it would be best if he changed the wording of the press release.
He said TasPorts promised it access to the site in June 2023, but this did not eventuate until May this year. "I said, minister, our single biggest risk in this whole project is TasPorts and berth three," he said.'Serious safety concerns' raised over interim berth solutionUpgrades would be carried out on 1 East Berth – the current home of the smaller Spirit ships – so that the new ships could at least operate when they arrive, while the permanent works are completed at 3 East Berth.
And even when it can come to Tasmania for final commissioning in Hobart for two months, it was unclear where it would be housed."The gazetted fees that TasPorts would charge is $8,000 a day on site," he said.The second vessel is due to be completed early next year. He also told parliament he was first formally advised of "the need for a negotiating position" during caretaker period, which started on February 14.
Mike Grainger Spirit Of Tasmania Mersey River Port Infrastructure Parliamentary Inquiry Michael Grainger Tasports
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