Pile-driving has commenced at Berth 3 in Devonport, extra Spirit sailings have been added and caravan waitlists are being cleared as the Tasmanian Government gets on with the job of delivering for Tasmania.
Action is underway to identify potential leasing or chartering options for Spirit IV to deliver the best possible financial return to Tasmanian taxpayers.
Regrettably, it is increasingly clear that the Leader of the Opposition is really only interested in one thing: his own political wellbeing.
As his own front bench deserts him and the Spirits are put back on track, his own misinformed rhetoric has become increasingly shrill.
Fact 1: The Moloney Gemmel Report clearly states that Scotland presented the most cost-effective storage solution for the taxpayer, across all scenarios.
Fact 2: Spirit IV has been temporarily relocated to Scotland while TT Line expedites leasing and chartering options, focussed on delivering the best outcome for Tasmania.
Fact 3: Should leasing opportunities not prove financially beneficial, we have said that TT Line will seek a cost-effective medium-term storage option in Tasmania. And, that if this eventuated, we would ensure TasPorts will not charge TT Line to store the vessels.
Dean Winter clearly has no idea of the additional costs incurred in sailing a ship to Tasmania for temporary berthing, only to sail it back should a leasing option eventuate. For Spirit IV to sail from Finland to Tasmania and back would cost in the order of millions.
Further, berthing costs in Tasmania would be significantly more expensive than in Scotland due to differing crewing requirements, higher maintenance costs as a result of a warmer climate and higher insurance costs.
While we know Dean is too busy pursuing his relentless negativity at all costs to check the internet, all of this information – including the figures he is misrepresenting - has been on the public record for almost a month and are publicly available on the Department of State Growth's website.
Rather than waste Tasmanian taxpayer funds as Mr Winter suggests, we will be sensible and prudent in delivering the best possible outcome for Tasmania.
In other news, I am pleased to advise that TT Line have informed me that Spirit V sustained no significant damage as a result of the recent storm in Finland.
This will no doubt be welcomed by all Tasmanians, except Dean Winter.
While Labor are stuck in reverse, we will continue getting on with the job of delivering for Tasmania.
