Ms BURNET (Clark) – Deputy Speaker, I remind the House that yesterday was 12 months since we were sworn in, when the declaration of the polls came about. In the twelve months since then – I know that we started on 14 May – there have been myriad experts presenting to this parliament. That is a lot for relatively very short time. Let us look at the economists who have been commissioned to review benefits or otherwise of the stadium at Macquarie Point. We have heard discussion about and undermining of Dr Nicholas Gruen. But is Dr Nicholas Gruen a nationally recognised economist, and is Saul Eslake highly regarded and regarded nationally?
The answer to both, of course, is yes. Yet we have perpetual, continued undermining of their positions and their reports. The Project of State Significance process to address and assess the Macquarie Point Stadium, whether the Greens like it or not, was chosen by this government to assist the Macquarie Point Stadium proposal. This was undertaken at the Premier’s instructions in order to have the appropriate assessment guidelines. What has happened? The Tasmanian Planning Commission report, the interim report which allows the public to understand the gathering of information, has been undermined. It has been undermined as to how they have written the report, what information they have drawn on, and whose expert information has been drawn on to reach their conclusions or their assessments.
There are other reports. I will quote from the City of Hobart Planning Agenda report from last night. This is a short report, but it is written by experts.
In response, the Macquarie Point Development Corporation has criticised the draft report, claiming it contains errors of law, is incomplete, argumentative and lacks balance.
That is the MPDC, the proponent on behalf of the government, complaining about expert reports. Isn’t that just typical of some proponents who want to disregard experts? There we see it writ large.
I will go to another part of that same report. This part is about financial and economic consequences. It discusses council expenditure,
The Council has expended over $150 000 to date on obtaining the necessary qualified advice to guide it in its response through the POSS process. The Council made such an investment in good faith to provide an impartial response to the proposal in the knowledge that such information would be considered in the decision-making.
This is a report that the local council has made in good faith. Unfortunately, we can see that it is to no end, really.
We have experts undermined by this government. The problem, which Mr Jenner identified very well, is that when you undermine the experts, you also undermine public confidence. It is something we should all be concerned about because the Ipsos Global Trustworthiness Index 2024 has, as the most trusted professions, doctors, teachers, scientists, police, up there between 48 and 66 per cent. Where does it have Cabinet officials and government ministers? There is 17 per cent trustworthiness. That is a ranking way down at the bottom of trustworthiness.
DEPUTY SPEAKER – What about Deputy Speakers?
Ms BURNET – Deputy Speakers? It is not listed. This is a blight on this parliament.
