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.