'Botched' Bass Strait ferries suffer new cost blowout
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships.
Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history.
One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built.
The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project.
The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027.
On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer.
The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million.
The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024.
Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays.
"The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said.
The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months.
TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete.
The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships.
Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history.
One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built.
The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project.
The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027.
On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer.
The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million.
The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024.
Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays.
"The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said.
The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months.
TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete.
The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships.
Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history.
One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built.
The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project.
The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027.
On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer.
The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million.
The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024.
Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays.
"The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said.
The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months.
TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete.
The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
People will be able to sail Bass Strait on a new ferry from the end of 2026, according to a state government which has revealed a further cost blowout to the already-delayed ships.
Delivery of the two new larger Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been dubbed one of the greatest infrastructure stuff-ups in Australia's history.
One of the two ships has been in Scotland since December because an upgraded port at Devonport in Tasmania hasn't been built.
The saga forced Tasmania's deputy premier Michael Ferguson to relinquish his portfolios and prompted resignations at government businesses in charge of the project.
The government had previously flagged the new Devonport berth would be ready between October 2026 and February 2027.
On Friday, it said construction would be finished by October 2026 and the vessels would be operational for the 2026/27 summer.
The price tag has continued to blow out, to $493 million from the most-recent estimate of $375 million. It was originally slated to cost $90 million.
The ships, one of which is in Finland undergoing sea trials, were originally meant to get to Tasmania in late 2024.
Tourism companies and businesses that prepared for a greater influx of people have criticised the government for delays.
"The government is confident it now has the right people and robust project governance, discipline and controls in place," Transport Minister Eric Abetz said.
The ship in Scotland will arrive in Hobart in mid-July where it will undergo a final fit-out expected to take two months.
TT-Line, which operates the ferries, is considering where to berth the ship in Hobart once it is fully complete.
The government tried unsuccessfully to lease the ship during its stay in Scotland.
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The Advertiser
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Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, taking the total number of hybrid options to four. Hybrids also get a slight power and torque bump thanks to a new electric motor – now 173kW/367Nm. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights. Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic. These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down. Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive. The Sportage HEV has seen a slight power and torque bump to 173kW/367Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) courtesy of a more powerful electric motor which sits between the transmission and turbocharged petrol engine. Braked towing capacity for hybrid models has also been upped to 1900kg, which matches the diesel. Another significant change is the transmission for 1.6T AWD versions, which switches out the old and disliked seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for a smoother-shifting eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption, however, is up by almost 0.5L/100km on the combined cycle as a result. Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand's other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty. 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As before, the Sportage will be offered in S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line trim levels, with no less than five different drivetrain variants available. The six-speed manual is dead, and 1.6T AWD variants swap out their dual-clutch automatic transmission for an eight-speed torque converter unit. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, taking the total number of hybrid options to four. Hybrids also get a slight power and torque bump thanks to a new electric motor – now 173kW/367Nm. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights. Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic. These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down. Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive. The Sportage HEV has seen a slight power and torque bump to 173kW/367Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) courtesy of a more powerful electric motor which sits between the transmission and turbocharged petrol engine. Braked towing capacity for hybrid models has also been upped to 1900kg, which matches the diesel. Another significant change is the transmission for 1.6T AWD versions, which switches out the old and disliked seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for a smoother-shifting eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption, however, is up by almost 0.5L/100km on the combined cycle as a result. Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand's other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty. Kia Australia offers seven years of capped-price servicing across its lineup, though finer details around intervals and pricing for the updated Sportage range are still to be confirmed. For reference, 2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the pre-facelifted range have 12-month/15,000km intervals; while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals. Pricing over a seven-year period varied between $3344 and $4502 depending on engine variant, which is quite expensive compared to the competition. The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system from SX+ level and up – the fundamentals appear to be the largely same. Some new or enhanced features have been confirmed from the base model up, however, including an emergency assist function for the adaptive cruise control if the driver becomes unresponsive, and front parking sensors. Standard safety equipment includes: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: The previous range walk carries over – i.e. S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line – though there's more equipment across the lineup. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Above: GT-Line 1.6T AWD Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: Two new paint options join the Sportage's palette, while the outgoing model's Dawning Red has been discontinued. 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Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, taking the total number of hybrid options to four. Hybrids also get a slight power and torque bump thanks to a new electric motor – now 173kW/367Nm. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights. Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic. These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down. Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive. The Sportage HEV has seen a slight power and torque bump to 173kW/367Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) courtesy of a more powerful electric motor which sits between the transmission and turbocharged petrol engine. Braked towing capacity for hybrid models has also been upped to 1900kg, which matches the diesel. Another significant change is the transmission for 1.6T AWD versions, which switches out the old and disliked seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for a smoother-shifting eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption, however, is up by almost 0.5L/100km on the combined cycle as a result. Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand's other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty. Kia Australia offers seven years of capped-price servicing across its lineup, though finer details around intervals and pricing for the updated Sportage range are still to be confirmed. For reference, 2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the pre-facelifted range have 12-month/15,000km intervals; while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals. Pricing over a seven-year period varied between $3344 and $4502 depending on engine variant, which is quite expensive compared to the competition. The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system from SX+ level and up – the fundamentals appear to be the largely same. Some new or enhanced features have been confirmed from the base model up, however, including an emergency assist function for the adaptive cruise control if the driver becomes unresponsive, and front parking sensors. Standard safety equipment includes: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: The previous range walk carries over – i.e. S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line – though there's more equipment across the lineup. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Above: GT-Line 1.6T AWD Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: Two new paint options join the Sportage's palette, while the outgoing model's Dawning Red has been discontinued. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from: UPDATED 14/06/2025:We've updated this article, first published 29 May, with newly confirmed specification details. Pricing and specifications for the facelifted 2026 Kia Sportage have been announced for Australia as first vehicles arrive in showrooms, and the upgraded mid-size SUV lineup brings more more hybrid variants, more standard equipment, and the introduction of Kia Connect services, accompanied by price increases of up to $4070. As before, the Sportage will be offered in S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line trim levels, with no less than five different drivetrain variants available. The six-speed manual is dead, and 1.6T AWD variants swap out their dual-clutch automatic transmission for an eight-speed torque converter unit. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Further, hybrid (HEV) versions of the SX and GT-Line are now available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) form, taking the total number of hybrid options to four. Hybrids also get a slight power and torque bump thanks to a new electric motor – now 173kW/367Nm. Revised design details, new alloy wheel options and increased tech levels round out the highlights. Pricing for the MY26 Kia Sportage starts from $37,990 before on-road costs, which is $5000 higher than the old base manual and $3000 more than the outgoing entry-level S automatic. These price rises are somewhat offset by enhanced specification levels, as detailed further down. Prices are up across the board, by at least $500 and an average of around $3000 depending on the model variant. Four different engine variants are offered, with the turbocharged hybrid now offering both front- and all-wheel drive. The Sportage HEV has seen a slight power and torque bump to 173kW/367Nm (up from 169kW/350Nm) courtesy of a more powerful electric motor which sits between the transmission and turbocharged petrol engine. Braked towing capacity for hybrid models has also been upped to 1900kg, which matches the diesel. Another significant change is the transmission for 1.6T AWD versions, which switches out the old and disliked seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) for a smoother-shifting eight-speed auto. Fuel consumption, however, is up by almost 0.5L/100km on the combined cycle as a result. Kia Australia hasn't confirmed any changes to the Sportage's dimensions – see below for pre-facelift figures. The updated Kia Sportage, like the Korean brand's other models, will be covered by a seven-year, unlimited-kilometre new vehicle warranty. Hybrid vehicles are also subject to a seven-year/150,000km high-voltage battery and component warranty. Kia Australia offers seven years of capped-price servicing across its lineup, though finer details around intervals and pricing for the updated Sportage range are still to be confirmed. For reference, 2.0L petrol and turbo-diesel models in the pre-facelifted range have 12-month/15,000km intervals; while the turbocharged 1.6L petrol and HEV versions have shorter 10,000km distance intervals. Pricing over a seven-year period varied between $3344 and $4502 depending on engine variant, which is quite expensive compared to the competition. The updated Kia Sportage is expected to retain its five-star ANCAP safety rating, based on 2022 Euro NCAP tests. Highway Driving Assist (HDA) system from SX+ level and up – the fundamentals appear to be the largely same. Some new or enhanced features have been confirmed from the base model up, however, including an emergency assist function for the adaptive cruise control if the driver becomes unresponsive, and front parking sensors. Standard safety equipment includes: SX+ adds: GT-Line adds: The previous range walk carries over – i.e. S, SX, SX+ and GT-Line – though there's more equipment across the lineup. 2025 Kia Sportage S equipment highlights: Sportage SX adds: Above: GT-Line 1.6T AWD Sportage SX+ adds: Sportage GT-Line adds: Two new paint options join the Sportage's palette, while the outgoing model's Dawning Red has been discontinued. Standard: $NCO Premium paint: $TBC MORE: Everything Kia Sportage Content originally sourced from:
Sky News AU
12-06-2025
- Sky News AU
‘Cynical': Tasmanian parliament vote of no confidence examined amid stadium concerns
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Perth Now
11-06-2025
- Perth Now
Snap election called after week of chaos
Tasmanians will face a snap election on July 19 after days of confusion following a no-confidence motion in Premier Jeremy Rockliff succeeded. Governor Barbara Baker granted approval for the election a day after Mr Rockliff made the request in order to end the state's political deadlock. She said she was 'satisfied that there is no real possibility that an alternative government can be formed'. In a statement, released on Wednesday night, the Governor said she would dissolve Parliament and issue the writ for an election on July 19. 'Notwithstanding the recent 2024 election, the public interest in avoiding the cost of another election and the prevailing public mood against holding an election, I have granted Premier Rockliff a dissolution,' Governor Baker said. Mr Rockliff had refused to resign as losing the no-confidence motion 17-18 in order for another Liberal MP to take over as Premier, saying he would seek a snap election to decide the future of the government. Ms Baker on Tuesday said she would take 'the time necessary to give due consideration to all available options'. She met with Labor Opposition Leader Dean Winter on Wednesday, before Mr Rockliff returned for a second meeting just after 6pm. Premier Jeremy Rockliff has called a snap election after losing a no-confidence motion in the lower house of state parliament last week. Nikki Davis-Jones Credit: News Corp Australia Mr Winter last week moved the motion against Mr Rockliff over the minority Liberal government's handling of the state's troubled economy, following the handing down of the state budget on May 29. The budget forecast net debt was expected to approach $11bn by the end of the decade. Labor also took aim at the bungled handling of the rollout of the new Spirit of Tasmania vessels. Mr Rockliff lost last Thursday's no-confidence motion 17-18 in the lower house of parliament, making his position untenable, with key independents refusing to back his minority government. He held onto the leadership, while Labor's Mr Winter ruled out forming a minority government with the Greens. Mr Rockliff had delayed visiting Government House until Tuesday to ensure parliament passed emergency legislation to ensure public servants would be paid during and after an election. More to come
