Ms BADGER question to TREASURER, Mr ABETZ
There have been long running calls for the Northern Midlands Council to acquire the empty Longford Police House to transform it into a much-needed neighbourhood house. In Evandale the vacant police facilities could be used to expand stretched GP services, but instead of making these publicly owned buildings available for core community services, it appears they’re going to be offered up to the highest private bidder.
You say you’re not going to cut services or raise taxes to fund the stadium, so are you planning to flog off public land and publicly owned building assets? What do you say to regional communities who will miss out on essential services when you sell off this public infrastructure? Given the TPC couldn’t consider these costs, will you table, by the end of the week, the list of all public buildings and public land parcels we understand Treasury have been asked to identify over the past 18 months to be sold off?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, in relation to the specifics of the honourable member’s question, I’ll have to get some information on notice to her. Can I indicate that, as a matter of general business, it is usual for government to seek to sell police houses, teacher houses, et cetera, and then reinvest that money for new police houses and new teacher houses when and as required.
I’m not sure whether the specifics of what the honourable member is asking relates to such a situation, but what I will seek to do is come back later today and provide an answer to the honourable member.
Ms Badger – There was a second part to that question as well, thank you Treasurer. I will reread it. Will you table by the end of the week the list of all public buildings and public land parcels that we understand Treasury has been asked to identify over the past 18 months to be sold?
The SPEAKER – I believe the honourable Treasurer took that on notice, yes? The honourable Treasurer has taken it on notice.
