Tasmanians are excited by the coming new Spirits but are rightfully confused and disappointed that the necessary berthing infrastructure has not been adequately prepared in proper time.
This morning, I provided the Parliamentary Accounts Committee with substantial details regarding the handling of the new Spirits and associated infrastructure project.
The record is clear as to how this situation has developed and the significant interventions that the Liberal Government has been forced to take in November, June and August to help TT-Line keep it on track.
This project is vital to Tasmania's economic prosperity, and I am thankful for the work that has been undertaken to deliver it.
I recognise the impact of the delay in constructing the portside infrastructure and sincerely apologise to all Tasmanians for the disappointment that represents. My team and I truly tried to keep the project on track, but it proved impossible with actions taken during Caretaker rendering those efforts wasted.
In the absence of the Company owning up to this profoundly disappointing situation, as the former Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and current Minister for Infrastructure, I will.
The ongoing commentary concerning the project is proving an unnecessary distraction and I don't want that to continue at the expense of a proper and disciplined focus on delivering the ships and the berths, as Tasmanians would expect.
Also, I cannot allow the Government to be distracted from the final preparations for the upcoming 2024-25 State Budget during a time of significant national economic headwinds affecting our state.
With all this in mind – and in the best interests of the project, the budget and the elected Government, I have today spoken with and written to the Premier recommending he undertake a reshuffle and offer to relinquish my responsibility as Minister for Infrastructure. I now believe this is the only way to end the blame game once and for all, and allow the right people to focus on the solution in a stable parliament.
I thank all those who have worked tirelessly on this project for many years as we close in on the new Spirits sailing proudly up the Mersey.
I am so grateful to have managed the billions in new infrastructure investment that has been delivered by our Liberal Government since 2019. Be it the COVID-19 infrastructure and construction blitz; the Bass Highway upgrades, the Midland Highway safety action plan, the Tasmanian Freight Rail Revitalisation Program, or my passion project, the new Bridgewater Bridge – these are all intergenerational assets that have been delivered right across the state that will set up our state for a very prosperous future. And there's so much more to come in next month's budget
I cannot praise more highly the wonderful people I have worked so closely with since 2019 in the Department of State Growth and the civil contracting industry for their incredible support, resilience and can-do attitude. I've appreciated so many great contributors in TasPorts, TasRail and TT-Line who believed in and implemented our plan. By working together we created an economic lifeline for Tassie and achieved so many new facilities and safer infrastructure for the people of our growing state.
My mission in serving Tasmanians as a deeply loyal member of our Liberal Party will never change and I look forward to delivering for our Tasmanian families, communities and businesses.
