5 September 2017

, Minister for Infrastructure

Labor’s latest thought bubble – this time it’s freight

It says a lot that after three and a half years in opposition, the best Labor can come up with is a ‘study’ into freight.

It confirms they still have no plans and no policies.

By contrast, the Hodgman Liberal Government went to the election promising a comprehensive strategy for freight- a promise we delivered on with the release of the Tasmanian Integrated Freight Strategy in April 2016.

The Hodgman Government’s performance is highlighted by:

• A number of direct international shipping services calling into Tasmania including Swire, MSC and Maersk.  By contrast, when Labor were voted out in 2014, there were no direct international shipping services.
• A major extension of the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme negotiated with the Australian Government.
• TT-Line carrying record freight volumes in 2016/17 on the refurbished Spirits of Tasmania.
• A MoU between DP World and TasPorts to investigate development of a $20 million international container terminal at Burnie.

In fact, just today the health of Tasmania’s freight industry was praised by the Tasmanian Business Reporter which said “Tasmanians have never had it as good for freighting to and from Tasmania”, and “Tasmania has not seen as much competition in its market for I don’t know how long”.*

The evidence is clear- Rebecca White and her inexperienced Labor team are just not ready to govern.

*Tasmanian Business Reporter, “The future of our freight”, 05/09/2017

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