Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Once upon a time you promised the stadium would cost $715 million. You stood in this place day after day and insisted the project would be delivered on that budget. You even mocked the Greens for suggesting it would cost a billion dollars. Yet here we are today with the cost for the project already blown out by $400 million and it’s passed that billion-dollar figure. Every time more detail has been added to the stadium design the price tag has gone up. First it went up to $775 million, then when the project was 50 per cent designed it went up to $945 million. Now it’s 70 per cent designed and the cost is $1.13 billion. Once upon a time you promised there would be no cost blowouts. Will you repeat that today? Will you promise that $1.13 billion is the final price, or will you be honest and admit the cost is likely to soar further?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for her question. If I do, you will support it – is that right?
Dr Woodruff – This is about honesty to Tasmanians. We represent Tasmanians and they want the truth.
Mr ROCKLIFF – So do I. I represent opportunity and aspiration. That’s why we’ve driven this project so very, very hard, listening to Tasmanians, travelling around Tasmania and speaking with Tasmanians to ensure they get a greater understanding of what is a significant state investment and federal investment, of course. The opportunity before us, whether it is $1.13 billion –
Mr Bayley – It is two billion now.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s two now?
The SPEAKER – Order, interjections will cease. The honourable Premier is the only one who has the call.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I might add that when you oppose this, you really have to think long and hard about what you are opposing. You are opposing the establishment of a decades‑old dream of the Tasmanian Devils, which is going gangbusters.
Dr Woodruff – Point of order, Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance. This is about the cost of the stadium and whether the Premier will be honest and tell them what the figure will finally be.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We have updated Tasmanians on the increase in costs. Of course, I can’t be beholden to the $1.13 billion, but, of course, this project will be no doubt scrutinised ‑ it already has been – within an inch of its life and will continue to be, so there is great incentive to bring it within budget. But you will be saying no to $240 million of federal government funding, $360 million of AFL investment into Tasmania; $600 million you will be saying no to on behalf of Tasmanians.
Dare I say that it’s not just about you. It’s about the young people of Tasmania who deserve a future in this state. People talk about those opposite, and I thank them for the bipartisan support, about young people leaving Tasmania. We want our young people staying in Tasmania and providing them with opportunity, like every other state has. I was speaking to a person in the construction industry the other day who has great insight into where all the construction machinery is heading right now. Unfortunately, it’s all going to Queensland. We want that opportunity and those jobs here. That is why we are committed to this project.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – The Premier said that he can’t be beholden to the $1.13 billion. Is there an upper limit that his government will pay for this stadium?
The SPEAKER – It is related to the answer.
Mr ROCKLIFF – When you consider the investment that we’re making, we need to ensure that we look after every single dollar and that be scrutinised. We also need to make this the best possible opportunity and ensure that this stadia is iconic. To do so we need to have the right investment and of course make it truly Tasmanian stadia infrastructure that we can be very proud of, as other states are.
When it comes to the budget, yes, that will be scrutinised. This is the most scrutinised project in the history of the world.
Dr Woodruff – Is this a blank cheque?
The SPEAKER – Order, Dr Woodruff.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We haven’t even turned first sod yet, for heaven’s sake. We will make sure that this investment is value for money, but most importantly, an investment that Tasmanians will be extraordinarily proud of, like other stadia infrastructure across the country.
Dr Woodruff – Not ‘one red cent more than $375 million.’ Now it’s a blank cheque.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired. Dr Woodruff, I appreciate that today is going to be a very passionate day. I caution the member to minimise and stop the interjections, because there’s an important debate later on today.
