In the wake of Budget Estimates and ahead of tomorrow’s anti-stadium rally, Greens MPs have called on the Treasurer to be transparent about the annual interest payments on government borrowings and the status of transport infrastructure needed to service the stadium.
Vica Bayley MP, Greens Sports Spokesperson
In Estimates this week, Treasurer Eric Abetz confirmed that up to $32 million a year will be needed just to pay off the annual interest on the $490.7 million in stadium borrowings by Macquarie Point Development Corporation.
In a budget crisis, it’s incumbent on the Treasurer to be transparent about the full cost of the stadium, including the interest payments on the $375 million of borrowings directly attributable to Liberal Government.
Each year, the government will have to pay for the annual interest cost of the debt. This will be paid from the General Government Sector – the same part of the budget responsible for paying nursers and teachers.
The Treasurer must come clean on the cost of the balance. This is critical information all Tasmanians deserve.
Helen Burnet MP, Greens Transport Spokesperson
We heard in Estimates what we already know: this government has failed to deliver the new Spirit vessels and their berth in Devonport. That project is way over budget and way behind schedule.
It doesn’t bode well for future major projects. How can anyone believe they are capable of delivering a stadium at Macquarie Point with all those complexities the site has to offer?
We also asked questions about just how the transport system would gear up for the stadium. It’s clear that our public transport system isn’t delivering, and the Liberal Government isn’t doing enough to improve it.
There has been no substantial progress on the Northern Suburbs Rapid Buses Plan, nor is there any clear plan on how to move 23,000 people to and from stadium events without causing major congestion.
