Push for third Strait ferry

Union call to divert federal roads spending

TASMANIA’S State Growth Minster says the government will receive advice on the replacement Spirit of Tasmania ferries “in the coming weeks” as local manufacturers continue to push for a slice of the pie.

The government has gone back to the drawing board to find replacement ferries for the TT-Line.

Two new ferries to be built in Europe were supposed to be in service this year.

Instead, the government has binned the plan and will instead try to find an Australian builder for some or all of the $850m-plus project.

The Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and Incat are also calling for a proportion of federal roads spending to be diverted into building a third Bass Strait ferry to carry freight, cars and caravans.

AMWU state secretary

John Short said building a third ship in Tasmania would aid the state’s recovery from the COVID-19 downturn.

“For every job created in manufacturing, we’re creating another four in the rest of the economy,” Mr Short said.

“While the Morrison government is pumping money into roads of strategic importance, it is failing to invest in locally manufactured ferries — a crucial form of transport to and from Tasmania.

“We need a ferry not just for freight but for cars and caravans to ensure we’re supporting local jobs in Tasmania while boosting our economy through attracting more tourists for longer periods.”

Incat spokesman Jason Hutton said the company would welcome the chance to build a new ferry for Tasmania.

Incat exports its passenger ferries around the world.

“Building these ships here creates hundreds of jobs and hundreds more flow-on jobs in supplies, parts and other services,” he said.

State Growth Minister Michael Ferguson welcomed Incat and the AMWU’s enthusiasm for a locally produced ship.

Mr Ferguson said the government would receive advice from its taskforce on the ferries “in the coming weeks”.

“I’m really open to the advice of the taskforce.,” he said.

“There is no bigger supporter of Tasmanian manufacturing than the government.

“And we’ve pressed pause on the ship replacement program for a specific reason and that is we want it to go even harder to find opportunities for people, men and women, in our manufacturing sector here in Tasmania to be part of the ship replacement program.”