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ABC Mr Hidding and the Premier were in Devonport to announce the new freight link would not go ahead.

Fresh produce exporters are seeking urgent briefings with the Tasmanian Government now that it has ditched Labor's plan for TT-Line to buy two freight-only ships for Bass Strait.

The previous Government had plans for the state-owned ferry operator to buy two ships to move goods between Tasmania and mainland Australia.

The plan would have increased freight capacity on the Bass Strait run, which is currently serviced by the Government's two Spirit of Tasmania ships.

Instead the Government will spend more than $10 million on upgrading passenger facilities on the Spirit ships next year.

The Government denies ditching the plan will be bad for Tasmanian exporters.

Premier Will Hodgman says it is part of the Liberals' plan to lure 1.5 million tourists per year by 2020.

"If we can get more tourists coming into this state it'll increase economic activity, it'll grow jobs," he said.

Labor claims that will disadvantage local exporters, but Infrastructure Minister Rene Hidding denies that.

"No disbenefit whatsoever to any freight company or market benefit whatsoever."

The rest is here:
Liberals ditch plan for two freight-only Bass Strait ships