Legislative Council, Thursday 16 November 2023

Ms FORREST question to LEADER of the GOVERNMENT in the LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL, Mrs HISCUTT

With regard to the Summary report on the findings from the Tasmanian economic regulator’s inquiry into Bass Island Line’s pricing policies was released in August:

1. Has the Minister taken any action since the release of this report;
a. If so, what actions have been taken?

2. One of the Regulator's recommendations was that Bass Island Line conduct a review, to determine the suitability of the ship John Duigan to continue to provide freight services to King Island including an assessment of the size, operational suitability, level of service, and the costs incurred operating the John Duigan and seek specialist advice to consider the available alternatives;

a. What action has been taken in response to this recommendation?

ANSWER:
1) Yes.
a. The Tasmanian Government supported the implementation of the two recommendations made by the Economic Regulator and TasPorts is actioning both. Freight tariffs have already been published on BIL’s website, and work to finalise the scope of the review into the suitability of the John Duigan is currently underway.

2)
a. As above, work to finalise the scope of the review into the suitability of the John Duigan is currently underway.