Andrew Wilkie (Clark, Independent) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Just when we thought the Tasmanian government couldn't get any worse, they've gone and completely stuffed up one of the most important infrastructure projects in Tasmania's history. With an investment of almost $1 billion, the two new Spirit of Tasmania vessels were due to be operational by now, carrying an additional 400 passengers and 40 per cent more vehicle load. But, seemingly at every turn, the project has been a circus, including construction delays, contract cancellations and an estimated cost blowout of more than $500 million. Now we've learned that the state government and the government owned entities TT-Line and TasPorts have failed to ensure the new Spirits would have somewhere to berth in the Mersey River. It's now estimated that the berths won't be ready until 2027, at an annual cost to the state economy of $350 million. In the meantime, to avoid the icy Finnish weather, the first ship must be relocated from Finland, where it's being constructed, to Scotland, which is where it will stay while the government explores options to lease or charter the vessel or until the new berth is ready. Put simply, this debacle is yet another example of the state government's complete and utter incompetence. The fact that they think they can land a third AFL stadium on time and on budget is simply laughable.