There are serious inconsistencies between what RTI documents have revealed and what the Coordinator-General told the Public Accounts Committee about the development of his “independent” opinion piece on the stadium. The Greens have written to PAC, requesting they call the Coordinator-General back in to explain himself.
Last year, the PAC questioned the Coordinator-General about his opinion piece promoting the economic benefits of the stadium, and the involvement of the government in preparing it.
Mr Perry told PAC he “presented the analysis, not the opinion piece, but the analysis to the minister and the Premier beforehand”. He wrote to PAC stating on 10 October, saying he, “directly emailed the Premier, Treasurer and the Premier’s Chief of Staff” with a final opinion piece as a “head up”.
The RTI documents released this week show the Premier’s Chief of Staff and DPAC Deputy Secretary were sent a draft opinion piece on the 8 October. The release of the opinion piece was coordinated with the government media office to coincide with the government’s release of their response to the Tasmanian Planning Commission’s final report.
Mr Perry also told PAC he gave a copy of the opinion piece to, “people who do have regular contact with the media to release my opinion piece on my behalf.” He didn’t mention that these people were the Tasmania Devils CMO, Kathryn McCann, and Master Builders’ Association CEO, Jenna Cairney – the former head of the Government media office.
The Coordinator-General also didn’t describe the significant involvement these stakeholders had in the development of the opinion piece. Instead, Mr Perry repeatedly stated the work was “my view” and “my opinion piece”. The Liberals have continued to describe this work as “independent”.
There seems to be a number of inconsistencies between what the Coordinator-General told PAC about this matter and what the RTI documents have revealed. Given the bearing the Coordinator-General’s “independent” opinion piece on the stadium’s alleged benefits might have had on the vote for the stadium, the involvement of the government and other interested parties must be questioned further.
The Greens have written to PAC respectfully requesting they ask Mr Perry back in for a chat, on the record.
A copy of the Greens’ letter to PAC is available upon request.
