The New Bass Strait ferries are still in Finland. But they're causing a political storm back in Tasmania. These costly delays to the ferry replacement program resulted in the government demanding the resignation of the chair of TT-Line, Mike Grainger. The current board member Damian Bugg KC announced as his temporary replacement.
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00:00Two years ago, there were celebrations at the Spirits' new home in Geelong.
00:10We're here really because of the leadership and the vision of Chair Mike.
00:17That scene was meant to be repeated in Devonport this month.
00:22Instead, the Spirits' Tasmanian port has been beset by costly delays and TT Line's chair has been pushed out.
00:31We didn't want to ask anybody for their resignation, but that's where it got to. Your patience stretches only so far.
00:39The government says it's about stopping the blame game, denying it started it.
00:45At that meeting, I was again provided assurances by TT Line that the company's port side project was on track.
00:51On Wednesday, TT Line Chair Mike Granger issued his own statement, saying he disputed part of the evidence given at the inquiry into the new Spirits
01:02and looked forward to setting the record straight. Within hours, he was gone.
01:08I'm concerned that the intervention from the Premier, Deputy Premier and Minister of Vets yesterday
01:13was all about stopping the truth being told to the committee and not about the performance of the TT Line board.
01:19Mr Granger is more than entitled to appear before the committee and the action that we have taken will not impact on that in any way, shape or form.
01:30Away from the conflict playing out in Parliament, in Devonport there's frustration.
01:36When the Spirit isn't here, the restaurant is quite quiet and the city is quite quiet.
01:45The bigger and better ships undertaking sea trials in Finland will use an interim berth when they arrive.
01:52But that means they'll only be able to take the same freight and passengers as the existing ships.
01:58It's disappointing for everybody. The whole point is everyone's looking forward to these two new ships because it means a 40% extra capacity for the whole state.
02:07So across the board, it will affect us.
02:10With the first of the ships set to arrive at the end of this year, there are still questions that need to be answered.
02:17Like when will the interim berth be ready and how much will it cost?
02:21Labor claims it'll be at least $50 million.
02:24And will the Spirit's permanent home actually be completed by January 2026?
02:30Lucy MacDonald, ABC News.