The Rockliff Government looks set to stoop to yet another new low when it comes to the stadium, by giving one of their Minister’s a central role in the project’s approval.
In a briefing with the Department of Premier and Cabinet on Monday, the Greens were told the government is actively considering giving a Minister the power to oversee and enforce the conditions placed on the stadium, if it is approved by Parliament.
We twice asked the Premier to rule out this absurd and outrageous possibility in Parliament. Alarmingly, he would not do so.
This is a deeply disturbing prospect. Given the government’s “build at all costs” approach, there is no way any Minister could be trusted to honestly make sure these crucial conditions are being met.
Going ahead with this approach would be like a member of the public getting plans for building a house approved by their local council, the council giving them a bunch of conditions they have to meet, but then saying it’s up to the owner to make sure they have done the job properly.
There is no way anyone – even the Premier – believes Eric Abetz, or any other Minister, would be unbiased in making big decisions about the stadium, especially given the tight timeframes the government has signed up to, and the fact they are pursuing the stadium at all costs.
As if any member of the government would make a decision that might set back delivery of this project. There is no doubt they would simply take a ‘tick and flick’ approach, giving the go ahead no matter how bad a problem might be.
Giving a politician final sign-off on key parts of the stadium would be the government’s worst corruption of process yet.
The Premier must not go down this road. He needs to ensure the bill that comes to Parliament does not include any element of Ministerial discretion, sign-off, or ability to modify plans.
