BERNARD DWYER has resigned as CEO of Spirit of Tasmania operator TT Line and will leave the company at the end of his current contract on 3 November.
His departure continues the turmoil enveloping the company and was announced at this morning’s sitting of the Tasmanian Parliament’s Public Account Committee, which is inquiring into the circumstances of delivery delays and cost increases for new Bass Strait ro-paxes and their new East Devonport berth.
It follows the government forcing the resignation of TT Line board chairman Mike Grainger on 14 August after he appeared to contradict evidence given by state infrastructure minister Michael Ferguson to the PAC hearings. Mr Ferguson then asked to be relieved of his role overseeing TT Line on 26 August.
Acting chairman Damian Bugg QC told the PAC this morning Mr Dwyer had tendered his resignation on Saturday morning [7 September]. “To explain why he is not present in the room, I just want to say that in the discussions I had with Bernard on Saturday morning, it was clear that the pressures that he’s been operating under … are such that he ought not be here for his own wellbeing.” Mr Bugg said.
Mr Bugg paid tribute to Mr Dwyer in a media statement released shortly afterwards.
“Bernard has held leadership positions with the company for 14-years and has driven change and the build of the company’s new vessels through the most difficult of times,” he said. “His positive approach, energy and will to achieve the best for Tasmania will be sorely missed.”
Mr Dwyer was previously head of Federal Hotels, one of Tasmania’s largest companies, and a member of the TT Line board before taking on the CEO’s role following the departure of the incumbent.
Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions is due to hand over the first of the new vessels, Spirit of Tasmania IV, this week although it will be some time before the ship departs for Tasmania, via the Cape of Good Hope, and it will have extensive additional outfitting work locally before entering service.
