The Spirits saga sailed in again this morning, with Premier Rockliff caught hiding yet another TT-Line board departure, taking the tally to three out of seven board members and one former Infrastructure Minister in the past month.

It is like rats from a sinking ship and Jeremy Rockliff is the captain. 

Jeremy Rockliff admitted his minority Liberal government’s incompetence has let Tasmanians down.  He is right.  It’s the biggest infrastructure stuff up in Tasmanian history.

The botched handling of the Spirits project, the biggest infrastructure project in Tasmanian history, is completely unacceptable.  It is $500 million over budget and five years delayed so far. 

Despite that admission, he still refused to do anything about his failing Treasurer Michael Ferguson, instead trying to point the finger at TT-Line and TasPorts while at the same time saying it was time to stop the blame game.

If Michael Ferguson is not fit to be the Minister for Infrastructure, how is he fit to be Treasurer?  Its little wonder Tasmania has just seen its biggest budget deficit in history – almost triple the previous record.

Notably absent from this morning’s proceedings was any sort of explanation from Michael Ferguson. The former Infrastructure Minister refused to make a Ministerial statement to explain the lies and incompetence that has been exhibited for years.

The economic importance of this project for Tasmania cannot be overstated, and Jeremy Rockliff needs to stand up and take control.

Dean Winter MP
Labor Leader
Shadow Minister for Tourism & Hospitality