After facing backlash over delays and cost overruns in delivering the new Spirit of Tasmania ferries, the government asked Michael Grainger, the chair of ferry operator TT-Line, to resign. The frustration stemmed from communication failures, including not informing the government about significant decisions such as the cancellation of a tender to build new port infrastructure for the larger ferries.
The blame game between the government, TasPorts, and TT-Line escalated during a parliamentary inquiry, with accusations of TT-Line being blind to concerns and offering false assurances. Despite efforts to shift towards a collaborative approach to resolve the issues, tensions remained high as Mr. Grainger disputed elements of the government and TasPorts' statements and expressed intentions to present his version of events. This led to his swift resignation following a meeting where the government emphasized the need to stop the blame game and work together to get the project back on track.
Despite Mr. Grainger's resignation and the government's appointment of infrastructure experts to oversee the project, challenges remain with meeting deadlines and handling the unknown costs of temporary infrastructure. The government, while acknowledging the project setbacks reflected poorly on them, continues to face scrutiny over the performance of TT-Line's chief executive and board members, along with shareholder ministers. The drama surrounding the Spirit of Tasmania project highlights the ongoing frustrations within the community and the pressures on all involved to navigate through the turbulent waters ahead.