It was a short and simple statement.
“The Tasmanian Government has requested and accepted the resignation of the Chair of TT-Line, effective immediately,” Eric Abetz, the Tasmanian Minister for Transport and Michael Ferguson, Treasurer, said in a statement earlier this week.
“It has become clear the relationship between the Government and the Chair has become untenable,” it added.
The statement added that the Tasmanian Government that the project of the new Spirits of Tasmania and the associated infrastructure “can now move forward – collaboratively and in partnership with TT-Line, TasPorts and the Department of State Growth”.
A few days later, Ministers Abetz and Ferguson issued a new statement that Mr Damian Bugg AM KC will serve as the interim Chair of TT-Line. Mr Bugg has served on the Board of TT Line since 2019.
The matter has been in the public eye for some time with the berths for two new Spirit of Tasmania ferries yet to be built which means that the new vessels – which are due to be in service by 2025 – will need to operate with reduced capacity until the berths are completed.
