Australia’s Antarctic research program will continue to be based in Tasmania, despite the fear-mongering from former failed Labor Leader, David O’Byrne, who is clearly still trying to outshine Ms White.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Michael Ferguson, said that in a cynical play for the political limelight during Parliamentary hearings into TasPorts this morning, Mr O’Byrne recklessly asserted that the Australian Antarctic Division was looking to shift its marine research operations from Hobart to the Port of Fremantle.
“This unfounded claim is at odds with the reassurances provided by the federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King and the Chair of TasPorts Stephen Bradford, but Mr O’Byrne didn’t want to budge from his political play,” Mr Ferguson said.
“On 29 July this year, Ms King said “there are no budget cuts to the Antarctic Division, that $804 million continues to be implemented by Ms Plibersek’s portfolio and we are very, very supporting of continuing this incredible gateway here in Tasmania.”
Mr Ferguson said David O’Byrne should stop trying to scare the hard-working men and women at the AAD and stand up for Tasmania.
“He should be barracking for Tasmania’s interests and pressing his Labor colleagues in Canberra to close the deal between the Albanese Government and TasPorts for a commercial dedicated lease of berth 6 at Macquarie Wharf in Hobart for the RSV Nuyina, our new national Antarctic research vessel. The committee was told the only hold up is a federal budget decision,” the Minister said.
“Minister King and her federal Labor colleague Tania Plibersek have been clear that there is no risk to Tasmania’s continuation as the home base for our national Antarctic research efforts. This has been reinforced by the Chairman of TasPorts Stephen Bradford this morning,” Mr Ferguson added.
“David O’Byrne should stop his scare campaign and use his influence to lobby his Labor federal colleagues to hurry up, sign and fund the deal.”
Mr O’Byrne’s foray was a clear contrast with Rebecca White’s hapless fill-in, Dr Broad who was sent in at the last minute, and then had a shocking morning making baseless allegations and refusing to back down on his defamatory statements about TasPorts.
