The Greens welcome Deputy Premier Michael Ferguson resigning from his Infrastructure portfolio.
He has failed to deliver on-time and on-budget infrastructure projects for Tasmanians, including the Spirit of Tasmania upgrades. Infrastructure isn’t just concrete, bricks and mortar, it’s about providing the services communities need.
The huge delays and cost blowouts to the port in Devonport will mean the new Spirits sail at much-reduced capacity. These delays, which Minister Ferguson oversaw, will cost Tasmanians millions.
The critical and long-promised redevelopment to the Royal Hobart Hospital is being slashed, yet the Rockliff Government is pushing ahead with its unpopular billion-dollar stadium.
Despite resigning his Infrastructure portfolio due to manifest blunders, Michael Ferguson still looks set to oversee a brutal budget as Treasurer, making cuts where Tasmanians need services most. His media statement to today confirmed the worst fears.
The Premier’s decision to take on Infrastructure is mindboggling, given his already overflowing workload.
Despite the restored seats in Parliament, and with additional ministers in the Cabinet than in the last term of government, the Premier still opted to take the portfolio on. It’s a sign of no-confidence in the trustworthiness of his other ministers.
Whatever the reshuffled portfolios look like today, we know one thing for sure – next month’s budget is going to hit vulnerable Tasmanians hardest.
