NORTHERN Tasmania's tourism potential dominated conversation when two of the state's federal Liberal MPs stepped out for a spin alongside Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday.
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Bass Liberal MHR Andrew Nikolic said a $16 million Commonwealth sweetener passed up by Cadbury was front and centre as the Pollie Pedal peloton rode the 40-kilometre gauntlet from Exeter to George Town.
Mr Nikolic said he was determined to spruik Northern Tasmania's credentials as the tourism entry point to the state.
"He's fit and he's competitive but while we were trying to catch our breaths going uphill, I just told him about some of our key assets," Mr Nikolic said.
Mr Nikolic said conversation turned to the Renewable Energy Target as the pack pushed past Bell Bay Aluminium.
The federal government and opposition have been in negotiations to secure a deal on the scheme's large-scale target of annual renewable energy production in gigawatt hours.
"I think we're reasonably close to a deal," Mr Nikolic said.
He would not be drawn on a potential $33 million international shipping deal between the state government and Swire.
The service from Northern Tasmania to Asia is expected to operate out of Bell Bay port if it proceeds.
A recent decision by the federal government to expand the Tasmanian Freight Equalisation Scheme to export goods has put the viability of the link under a serious cloud.
But the Singapore-based shipped has pushed on with market testing while clarifying how any new link would operate under the expanded scheme.
"What happens with Swire is a matter for them - I'm just really pleased that goods destined for international markets through the Port of Melbourne are now included in the TFES," Mr Nikolic said.
