Image: TT-Line
Spirit of Tasmania 4 will be brought home to Tasmania rather than being leased out until port upgrades in Devonport are completed in 2027.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz says negotiations to lease the ship, potentially worth 50 million Euro, have fallen through.
The Government hasn’t revealed the cost of the broker, when the ship will leave Scotland or where it will be berthed when it arrives in Tasmania.
Mr Abetz says Tasmanian Labor’s negativity on the matter hasn’t helped, but Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie has defended criticism directed at the Government.
Mr Willie has described the latest move as a farce, saying Spirit 4 should have been brought home four months ago instead of costing Tasmanian taxpayers almost $2 million to keep it in Scotland.
Meanwhile, submissions will close on Friday to the the public accounts committee hearing into delays with the ships and wharf upgrades, chaired by Murchison MLC Ruth Forrest, on opportunities to support the tourism industry and producers until the new ships are in service, and to maximise benefits once they are.
