Revelations in the Public Accounts Committee that the Rockliff Government and Macquarie Point Development Corporation will refuse to release an updated stadium cost estimate, despite being requested by a Greens motion in the Lower House, adds to the weight to the obvious argument that construction costs will exceed estimates, and the Premier’s promised cost cap.
No one genuinely believes that stadium costs haven’t blown out again. Government knows it, Parliament knows it and Tasmanians know it.
The Liberal Government is being dishonest and sneaky, trying to hide the truth from this project’s funders – the Tasmanian people.
Any competent project manager would be updating their cost projections on a regular basis and being transparent with those who will fund it.
Cost escalations in the construction sector are well established and are being worsened by the war in the Persian Gulf.
Hiding the true cost from Tasmanians while the MPDC signs us up to an exorbitant contract, as health and other services face cuts, adds insult to injury. It is just another indictment on a project that Tasmanians don’t need, cannot afford and do not support.
