TASPORTS has found itself further embroiled in the controversy surrounding TT Line’s new East Devonport Spirit of Tasmania terminal with Tasmanian premier Jeremy Rockliff saying he will reject any request for bonuses for on-time or early completion of temporary works.
Mr Rockliff was asked in Parliament whether TasPorts’ board had offered executives incentives to have the No.1 berth – which must be reconfigured to accommodate the new Bass Strait ro-paxes, pending the much-delayed, early 2026 completion of terminal facilities at No.3 berth – ready as soon as possible.
TasPorts has already told the Public Accounts Committee it has completed its part of the Berth 3 works according to contract and is now putting all its efforts into making the unexpected modifications to berth 1, expected to cost an additional $50 million.
Shipbuilder RMC handed over the first of the new ships, Spirit of Tasmania IV, to TT Line last week but it is unlikely to enter service until late 2024/early 2025 and will only be able to operate at reduced capacity at No.1.
In Parliament today [19 September] Opposition leader Dean Winter asked the premier “Can you explain why TasPorts executives, who are already very well-paid by taxpayers, are being offered massive bonuses when they’re already part of the biggest infrastructure stuff up in Tasmanian history?”
Mr Rockliff said he had received no formal request for approval of the bonuses but it would not be forthcoming.
The company’s annual report for 2023 lists the seven top executives as receiving total remuneration of $2.3 million, with three receiving $97,000 in bonuses that year. The TasPorts board was paid $330,000 for its services, including $110,000 for chairman Stephen Bradford.
