Budget week for Deputy Premier and Treasurer Michael Ferguson starts off rocky as the Tasmanian Government faces intense questioning over the Spirit of Tasmania debacle. This scrutiny follows Ferguson's resignation as Infrastructure Minister and allegations of misleading Parliament. Josh Duggan reports.
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00:00A fiery morning press conference set the course for the day.
00:06I never mislead parliament and I don't lie to you and the media or the people of Tasmania.
00:11Despite handing over the infrastructure portfolio, Michael Ferguson's still being dogged by questions
00:16over the bungled Spirit of Tasmania vessel replacement project.
00:20If Michael Ferguson isn't fit to be the Minister for Infrastructure, how is he fit to be in
00:24control of Tasmania's finances?
00:27The delays were unacceptable and regrettable and I apologise to all Tasmanians for that.
00:33Despite Labor's claims he misled a parliamentary committee about his knowledge of cost increases
00:38and delays to the ships and port infrastructure, Mr Ferguson's firm there's nothing to correct
00:43the record on.
00:44I want to take this opportunity to totally refute the gutless claims that are being made
00:50by Mr Winter.
00:51The Spirit saga has already triggered resignations from TT Line Chair Mike Granger and CEO Bernard
00:57Dwyer.
00:58Today it was revealed a third member of the board has resigned, former newsreader Anna
01:03McMahon.
01:04But there's still a question over what to do with the new ferries when they arrive.
01:08Their new home at Devonport's Berth 3 East won't be ready until early 2026.
01:14Asked today if the government was still committed to an interim solution of upgrading Berth
01:181 so it can accept the new ferries, Jeremy Rockleaf said the government was awaiting
01:22advice.
01:23What the government did was without any evidence, without knowing how much it would cost, whether
01:27it was safe or how long it would be in place, they directed TT Line and Tasports against
01:32their will to implement a patchwork solution.
01:34Our highway across the water, up in the air.