Despite the process being like drawing blood from a stone, Treasurer Michael Ferguson has finally admitted that he knew about the $80 million bailout of Finnish shipbuilder RMC prior to the election.

Mr Ferguson continually tried to deflect from the serious questions about what he knew and when by attempting to justify the spend. That’s not the point.

The point is that the replacement of the Spirit of Tasmania ships is the largest infrastructure investment in Tasmania’s history – and it’s going the same way as every other project, with massive delays, cost blowouts and coverups.

It was telling that the Premier wouldn’t outline when he first became aware of the plans, and it was more telling that Mr Ferguson wouldn’t divulge when he told the Premier.

The Liberals still haven’t come clean about the value of the foregone financial penalties to RMC for delays.

Just like they wouldn’t come clean about the $80 million bailout to RMC before we asked about it.

What else don’t Tasmanians know about the state’s largest ever infrastructure investment?

Anita Dow MP
Shadow Minister for Infrastructure