Despite the minority Liberal government receiving worldwide attention for its incompetence in failing to build the forgotten wharf at Berth 3, there is still very little work taking place on site at East Devonport.

It’s little wonder Minister Eric Abetz couldn’t assure yesterday’s Public Accounts Committee hearing that additional delays wouldn’t push the February 2027 target for the completion of the wharf out even further.

In a desperate attempt to clean up the mess he left at the PAC hearing, Minister Abetz tried to claim he was clear that the project was still on track to be delivered by February 2027.

It was a very different response to information he gave yesterday the hearing, which included that a geo-technical assessment was still underway, a final design hadn’t been reached, and that he was waiting for a new report before committing to any timelines.

Today, I’m demanding the Liberals provide a straight answer about whether they are still on track to meet their own February 2027 deadline – already six years behind schedule.

I’m also seeking answers for Tasmanians about why round the clock work isn’t happening at Berth 3 to get this project built.

The new Spirits stand to provide an enormous benefit to Tasmania economy. While the Liberals have already monumentally stuffed the project up, Jeremy Rockliff can’t be allowed to stuff it up even further.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader