Legislative Council, Thursday 27 October 2022

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

With regard to freight cost for freight trans-shipping through Devonport from Melbourne to King Island:

(1) Were trans-shipping wharfage costs imposed on shippers prior to withdrawal of the Bass Island Line from Victoria to Devonport?

(2) Please provide a breakdown of current freight costs associated with the trans-shipping costs for freight originating in Victoria, including return costs where applicable for:

(a) a light TEU;

(b) a heavy TEU;

(c) a cattle trailer,

(d) fertiliser; and

(e) an ISO tank container.

(3) Please provide the costs of trans-shipping freight, including return costs where applicable, when the freight was carried entirely by Bass Island Line - that is, from Devonport to King Island - for:

(a) a light TEU;

(b) a heavy TEU;

(c) a cattle trailer,

(d) fertiliser; and

(e) an ISO tank container.

ANSWER

Mr President, I thank the member for the question.

(1) The question of trans-shipping through Devonport from Melbourne to King Island does not apply because historically BIL did not service a Victoria to Devonport leg. That is, BIL did not provide a service connecting Victoria to mainland Tasmania. BIL provided a Victoria to King Island and return service. BIL also previously provided a Bell Bay to King Island and return service.

(2) I am advised by TasPorts that this is commercially sensitive and not an appropriate for public disclosure. They are not publicly available because to do so would place BIL at a commercial disadvantage. BIL assists customers at the time that contact is made by freely quoting on a case-by-case basis.

(3) As previously explained, BIL did not operate trans-shipping of freight at that time.

Ms Forrest - I thought it would be easier. I thought the trans-shipping costs would not have been commercially sensitive.