Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
You have just now released your stadium legislation and supporting documentation. We were bracing ourselves for a bad bill, but wow, you have really outdone yourself. This bill and permit gives minister Eric Abetz unprecedented power to unilaterally amend the stadium permit and any related permit issued under the act, to issue subsequent project permits, to issue permits for the access network, to acquire land for the access network, and to reconcile any inconsistencies between the permit conditions. You have given the minister free reign to instruct the planning commission to change the planning scheme to facilitate any permit conditions.
This legislation is draconian and bringing it to parliament is an utter farce. It does not matter if the parliament approves the stadium bill as written because you have given minister Abetz full power –
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Order. Members on my left.
Dr WOODRUFF – to change it as he sees fit. Will you admit that the inclusion of these unprecedented ministerial powers makes this bill not worth the paper it is written on?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – Members on my right.
ANSWER
Thank you, honourable Speaker, for allowing me to answer the question, I appreciate that very much. Surprise, surprise; the Greens do not support the enabling legislation. I am shocked, really. I am really shocked that you are not supporting it. You will make up anything you can to make sure that this is presented as Armageddon, but it is not.
I commend all those involved in the Macquarie Point Multipurpose Stadium Enabling Legislation Report – a tremendous report, a lot of detail which comprehensively covers off the issues that were of concern as presented by the panel of the Tasmanian Planning Commission (TPC). It also points to the fantastic opportunity that this is for Tasmania. This will bring Tasmania, its economy and its aspiration for young people not only our own Tasmanian Devils team of which we have fought for decades for and secured – this is vital for that continuation of the team. No stadium and no team.
Mr Bayley – Never say never to renegotiation.
The SPEAKER – Deputy Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It is decision time. I am not sure what the member was referring to in her question when she said, ‘How dare we bring legislation to parliament.’ We bring every piece of legislation to parliament. It will be thoroughly scrutinised, of course, as this project has been for the last three years. I have not counted how many times I have answered a question in Question Time on this in the last three years, or indeed in budget Estimates for the last three years. There would be hundreds of questions, including the Public Accounts Committee that has done a very thorough job, I have to say, in scrutinising this project and keeping us and our departments accountable. I foresee that they will play a valuable role in moving forward as we deliver this project.
It is no surprise to me that the Greens do not support this legislation, but you have never supported anything in the last 40 years, as I can recall, that is an opportunity to grow Tasmania and grow our economy so that we can fund those essential services that Tasmanians care about. This is an intergenerational project. There is enabling legislation that is delivered right across the country for these types of stadia infrastructure. We are no different, when it comes to Tasmania. There has been an enormous amount of work informed by submissions to the Project of State Significance process –
The SPEAKER – The Premier’s time for answering the question has expired.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTIONS
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, honourable Speaker?
The SPEAKER – You are all very fast, but I am hearing a supplementary question from the Leader of the Greens.
Dr WOODRUFF – The Premier did not answer the question. What is the purpose of the parliament’s stadium approval process when the bill you have gives all power to minister Eric Abetz to completely rewrite anything that the parliament approves? Do you really think Tasmanians trust minister Eric Abetz to make any decisions he wants about the stadium without any oversight?
Mr Abetz – Personalise it when you cannot argue the principles.
The SPEAKER – Premier, I will draw you to the original question. The second question about trust in individual ministers is outside of the allowance for a supplementary, but the original question needs to be addressed.
Mr ROCKLIFF – What I am really concerned about is this pattern of behaviour. For the first 12 or 14 months of this parliament, you are relatively sensible, even for Greens. You are really desperate now –
Dr Woodruff – We know who is really desperate.
Mr ROCKLIFF – The attacks that you have made on public servants, who frankly do not deserve to be attacked –
Members interjecting.
Mr Bayley – You are the one who is attacking the planning commission with absolutely no basis. You should be ashamed. Zero basis.
Dr Woodruff – You smeared them.
The SPEAKER – Members of the Greens, you have asked a supplementary question. The Premier is now addressing it.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I once again commend them – I thought that would get you exercised. The personal attacks on individuals in the Chamber are also not warranted. Argue the case, but do not personalise it. You are mischaracterising the intent of the bill. This is enabling legislation. It is decision time.
Dr Woodruff – It enables Eric Abetz to do whatever he wants.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Do the work, get across it, and no doubt you will scrutinise it when it comes to Parliament and everyone will have their say.
The SPEAKER – The Premier’s time for answering the question has expired.
