{"id":274735,"date":"2025-11-10T05:11:14","date_gmt":"2025-11-10T05:11:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/274735\/"},"modified":"2025-11-10T05:11:14","modified_gmt":"2025-11-10T05:11:14","slug":"spirit-of-tasmania-operator-tt-line-deemed-insolvent-in-august-but-board-disagrees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/274735\/","title":{"rendered":"Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line deemed &#8216;insolvent&#8217; in August, but board disagrees"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Tasmania&#8217;s auditor-general says that Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line was insolvent in August, but the state-owned company has disputed that claim.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Auditor-General Martin Thompson released a report on Monday into the financial statements of state entities, pointing out the financial challenges facing TT-Line, along with the Motor Accidents Insurance Board (MAIB).<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">His assessment of TT-Line came after its borrowing limit was increased from $990 million to $1.4 billion, but before the government provided <a class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2025-10-30\/history-of-troubled-spirit-of-tasmania-new-ship-project\/105946408\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/105946408\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a $75 million equity injection<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A large white and red ferry comes in to dock while people in the foreground watch from a wharf.\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/6ccc41b53949cd29367f030fda7f8cfe\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Spirit of Tasmania IV, pictured, has arrived in Tasmania and is due to enter operations in October 2026. (ABC News: Monty Jacka)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">The report stated that TT-Line could meet its short-term debts, but not for the long term.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">&#8220;I developed reasonable grounds to suspect that the company would not be able to meet its longer-term debts that fall due after the relevant period,&#8221; the report reads.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">&#8220;I issued my audit report on the financial statements of TT-Line on 19 August 2025. At that date, it was my opinion that TT-Line was insolvent, in that it had incurred debt that it did not have the ability to repay.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2025-10-30\/history-of-troubled-spirit-of-tasmania-new-ship-project\/105946408\" data-component=\"FullBleedLink\" class=\"RelatedCard_link__rsgR9 FullBleedLink_root__lTw_U interactive_focusContext__yRhc_ interactive_defaults__AKxUU FullBleedLink_showVisited__g3Xvz\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">How Tasmania&#8217;s ferry operator made a multi-million-dollar mistake<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP RelatedCard_synopsis__cFwMW Typography_sizeMobile14__u7TGe Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">From wharfless ferries to bungled design specifications costing millions, the troubled Spirit of Tasmania ship replacement project saga just keeps rolling on.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Over the past four years, TT-Line has gone from a $4.2 million underlying profit to a $24 million loss, while it provided no returns to the government in the past financial year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Passenger numbers also declined by 4.9 per cent in the past financial year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">TT-Line is coming to the end of its <a class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2024-10-25\/new-spirits-ferries-may-be-secondhand-by-the-time-they-arrive\/104513124\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/104513124\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">scandal-plagued ferry replacement,<\/a> with both new vessels expected to start operating in October next year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">It has also undergone <a class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2024-08-14\/moloney-gemell-spirit-of-tasmania-port-management\/104224408\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/104224408\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">major changes in its board and management<\/a>, withdrawn its corporate plan, and is creating a new corporate plan, which it expects to provide to the government in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">It is yet to draw down on its $400 million increased debt capacity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">The company&#8217;s board disagreed with the auditor-general&#8217;s comment about &#8220;insolvency&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A man with short grey hair addresses media while wearing a blue suit and standing in the bridge of a ferry.\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/595a859b037e01439abf5fd45f37e2dd\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Ken Kanofski refutes that TT-Line was insolvent. (ABC News: Monty Jacka)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Chair Ken Kanofski said the board &#8220;remains confident of its position&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">&#8220;TT-Line has already almost fully paid for the new ships and has more assets than liabilities,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">&#8220;The directors and management, with the assistance of our specialist advisers, continue to work on developing a range of long-term financially sustainable options for the government to consider.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Loading&#8230;Ferry operator&#8217;s finances questioned<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">TT-Line&#8217;s finances faced extensive scrutiny during a parliamentary hearing last month.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">During an exchange with Labor&#8217;s Dean Winter, Mr Kanofski agreed that \u2014 without the increased debt limit approved in July \u2014 the company <a class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/listen\/programs\/hobart-mornings\/dean-winter-spirit-of-tasmania-finances\/105946042\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/audiosegment\/105946042\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">would have faced insolvency<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Dean Winter: When did you raise concerns with the minister around the solvency of the business?<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Ken Kanofski: In the lead-up to the debt refinancing \u2026 we had provided advice to the government that said we think we need that by September\/October this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Mr Winter: Because you&#8217;re running out of cash?<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Mr Kanofski: We were running out of borrowing capacity. Without that, we were out of cash.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Mr Winter: Unless you got that additional borrowing capacity, you would have been insolvent?<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Mr Kanofski: I think that&#8217;s very clear on the numbers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">In a director&#8217;s declaration, TT-Line outlined why it believed it had the capacity to repay its short-term obligations.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"A man watching another man in parliament speak \" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/39e56d38421190b6e5d944acc92135c2\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Dean Winter questioned TT-Line&#8217;s finances during a parliamentary hearing last month. (ABC News: Ebony ten Broeke)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">This included an expectation that shareholders \u2014 which includes a shareholder minister \u2014 would approve an equity injection and, if required, asset sales and a restructure.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">TT-Line is expecting to sell Spirit of Tasmania I and II once the new vessels start operating.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">In its latest annual report, the vessels were valued at $85 million each.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">A restructure could also be part of the revised corporate plan expected in the coming months.<\/p>\n<p>Risk increased for MAIB<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">The auditor-general&#8217;s report also highlighted a deterioration in the MAIB&#8217;s underwriting over the past five years.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">The underwriting result has dropped from a $61 million profit in 2021 to a $41 million loss in 2025, expected to drop again to $49 million loss by 2029.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">Its investment income is also forecast to drop significantly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">&#8220;The deterioration in the underwriting result means that MAIB&#8217;s insurance activities are no longer profitable throughout the forecast period and MAIB is reliant on positive investment returns to generate profitable operations,&#8221; the report reads.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The increased reliance on investment returns and the volatility within those markets, increases the overall risk of operations for MAIB.&#8221;<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Landscape photo of Hobart's CBD.\" class=\"Image_image__5tFYM ContentImage_image__DQ_cq\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/582439a0305c97a15fa6127c130fb665\" loading=\"lazy\" data-component=\"Image\" data-lazy=\"true\"\/><\/p>\n<p class=\"Typography_base__sj2RP FigureCaption_text__zDxQ5 Typography_sizeMobile12__w_FPC Typography_lineHeightMobile20___U7Vr Typography_regular__WeIG6 Typography_colourInherit__dfnUx\" data-component=\"Typography\">Home and contents insurance would be on offer from TasInsure, the proposed state-owned insurer. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">The government has proposed the creation of a new general state-owned insurer, <a class=\"Link_link__kR0xA Link_link__5eL5m ScreenReaderOnly_srLinkHint__OysWz Link_showVisited__C1Fea Link_showFocus__ALyv2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.abc.net.au\/news\/2025-11-07\/tasinsure-fails-to-receive-interim-budget-funding\/105983758\" data-component=\"Link\" data-uri=\"coremedia:\/\/article\/105983758\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">TasInsure, as a commercial arm of the MAIB, <\/a>leveraging the MAIB&#8217;s balance sheet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">It has set aside funds for a &#8220;scoping study&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"paragraph_paragraph__iYReA\">No business case was created prior to the TasInsure announcement in the election campaign, nor did a right to information request uncover any prior advice from treasury on the policy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tasmania&#8217;s auditor-general says that Spirit of Tasmania operator TT-Line was insolvent in August, but the state-owned company has&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":214746,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[64,138098,63,99,159564,159563,146585,7173,159565,49872,8539,2801,131632],"class_list":["post-274735","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-business","tag-au","tag-auditor-general","tag-australia","tag-business","tag-ferries","tag-gbe","tag-ken-kanofski","tag-liberals","tag-martin-thompson","tag-spirit-of-tasmania","tag-tas","tag-tasmania","tag-tt-line"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274735","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=274735"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/274735\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/214746"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=274735"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=274735"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=274735"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}