Helen Polley (Tasmania, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The continued delays in the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries represent a significant failure of the Tasmanian Liberal government, showcasing a lack of foresight, planning and accountability. These delays not only reflect poorly on the government's capacity to manage large-scale infrastructure projects but also have broader implications for the state's economy and its residents' trust in their leaders. First and foremost, the Spirit of Tasmania ferries are a critical component of Tasmania's transport infrastructure. They serve as a vital link between the island state and mainland Australia, facilitating the movement of people and goods. Delays in their deployment have caused considerable inconvenience for travellers and businesses alike. Tourists, who contribute significantly to Tasmania's economy, face disruptions and uncertainty, potentially deterring future visits. For businesses relying on the timely transport of goods, these delays translate into logistical nightmares and increased costs, undermining their competitiveness and profitability.

The Liberal government's handling of this project reveals glaring deficiencies in project management. A well-executed infrastructure project requires meticulous planning, robust risk assessment and proactive problem solving. The repeated postponement suggested that these elements were either inadequately addressed or entirely overlooked. It raises questions about the competency of the officers overseeing the project and the mechanisms in place to ensure accountability and transparency by this Liberal government. It also raises questions about the ability of the current government to even manage our state. Moreover, the government's communications with the public throughout this critical ordeal have been woefully inadequate. Transparency is crucial in maintaining public trust, particularly when projects funded by taxpayers' money encounter these obstacles. Instead of providing clear and regular updates, the government has often resorted to vague assurances and shifting timelines. This lack of candour has only fuelled frustration and scepticism amongst Tasmanians, who are left to wonder about the true state of the project and the reasons behind the delays.

The financial implications of these delays cannot be overstated. The prolonged timeline inevitably incurs additional costs, whether through extended contracts with construction firms, increased maintenance of the current ferries or compensation for affected businesses. These costs are ultimately borne by Tasmanian taxpayers, who have a right to expect better stewardship of public funds. The state opposition—that's Labor in Tasmania—under our new leader, Dean Winter, has ensured that Tasmanians know that the estimated additional cost will need to be somewhere in the order of $50 million spent on temporary upgrades. These upgrades are now necessary in order to allow for the Spirit of Tasmania to arrive in Devonport due to these unnecessary delays. Now, the opposition are the ones who have been upfront and communicating with the Tasmanian community.

There is also a prediction that the new ships won't be in operation for an additional five years on top of the previously promised margin. This, in turn, is predicted to cause this project to go $500 million over budget and cost an estimated $2 billion in lost tourism revenue. This is unacceptable. This has huge implications for the Tasmanian community, our economy, our tourism industry and our businesses who rely on getting their goods out of the state. It will impact their profitability. We can only hope that the Tasmanian Liberal government learns from these mistakes and makes a commitment to be more open and cooperative in the next major projects, perhaps even the stadium. As I said, this has broader implications for the Tasmanian economy, and it's unacceptable that they are so incompetent. (Time expired)