The state government delivered a budget that focused heavily on infrastructure jobs to what some may say is the detriment of others and does so in a bid to stimulate the coveted jobs and growing economy.

But a decision to investigate local options for the replacement of the Spirit of Tasmania vessels has been described by eminent economist Saul Eslake as potentially one of the worst decisions made in decades.

By any Tasmanian Government - since 1983. That's a bold claim, and one Premier Peter Gutwein doesn't want to have sitting in his court.

The Spirit of Tasmania replacement vessels represent one of Tasmania's largest infrastructure projects - and the potential to have those jobs stay onshore is appealing at both a state and federal level.

But the reality is, that there needs to be sovereign shipbuilding capacity to make it useful - something that appears to be in dispute.

While Australia is building up its sovereign shipbuilding capacity, which has been an aggressive focus of the federal government for the past few years, it stands to reason Australia's ability to make these ships is slim.

The Opposition seems hell-bent on looking for ways to undermine the government on this project and have several times raised issues in state parliament.

The fact of the matter is if jobs can be done in Australia, or even Tasmania, at a cost-effective rate, then why wouldn't we look into those options.

But, if it's likely that most of the work will be done offshore anyway, which is what is claimed in the Eslake report, but at a significantly higher cost due to the Australian component - the checks and balances need to be weighed up.

Both sides of this argument have valid points, but there's one thing for sure - the outcome must benefit Tasmanians, on a cost and jobs level, and not be done for how it appears to the broader public.