RTI documents have exposed the level of input from the Tasmania Devils, Master Builders’ Association and the Premier’s office on the Coordinator-General’s analysis of the economic impacts of the stadium. This is despite the government, and the Coordinator-General claiming the work was independent.
RTI documents detail the extent of involvement from the Devils’ CMO and Master Builders Association CEO in editing the work, and planning its timing and media strategy. To claim the work was independently done is grossly dishonest.
The Coordinator-General is senior public servant, funded by the taxpayer, who is required to be apolitical. The collusion and dishonesty is shameful.
The Premier’s office and department were intimately involved in the media strategy, PR, and favourable timing of the Coordinator General’s junk economic study. So much for it being “independent”.
Under questioning from the Public Accounts Committee, the Coordinator-General said he had presented his economic analysis to the Premier and Minister beforehand – but not his opinion piece. He later provided further information to PAC, saying he provided a final version to the Premier, Treasurer and Premier’s Chief of Staff the day before the piece was published as a “heads up”.
Has Mr Perry misled the powerful Public Accounts Committee? These RTI documents put his sworn statements under a cloud.
Tasmanians deserve transparency from the Rockliff Government on these important matters. They didn’t get that from the Premier’s answers today in Parliament. The Greens will continue to seek the truth of how taxpayers’ money has been used.
