Tasmanian government scraps lease negotiations for Spirit of Tasmania IV and will relocate ship from Scotland

It is not the outcome the state government has hoped for. A new Spirit of Tasmania ship sailing home, without a berth ready to house it, and after negotiations to find a leasing option for the vessel elsewhere failed. It means hope of recouping costs have most likely been dashed, with the treasurer today announcing a freeze on some public sector jobs in an effort to help blown out state finances.