Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
At the 2024 election, you promised Tasmanians you’d cap taxpayer spending on the stadium at $375 million. You famously said ‘not a red cent more’ of public money would be spent. However, costs have grown, and private investment has been abandoned. It’s obvious this promise has been broken. You’ve absurdly claimed it hasn’t and keep trying to move the goalposts. The last ridiculous pretence was that the extra money being spent on the stadium somehow wasn’t taxpayer money; it was borrowings from Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC). However, the budget papers show even that argument is false. On the stadium costs above the $375 million, it says, ‘The remaining costs will be partially funded through equity contributions from the finance general.’ That’s a big extra chunk of taxpayer money that would be spent on the stadium. Will you finally admit the $375 million cap is dishonest and designed to deceive?
The SPEAKER – The honourable member’s time has expired.
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for the question. Of course, we always said there’d have to be equity contributions.
To the question from the honourable member, Ms Johnston, to the Treasurer about the growth of the economy. This will attract private investment on Macquarie Point precinct: hotels, visitor economy establishments, all employing many Tasmanians, generating economic activity within the community.
This has been a long journey for a long time. In fact, I have to give credit to the honourable member for Franklin, David O’Byrne, who was the Infrastructure minister, along with the federal minister, Anthony Albanese, in 2012 with that capital injection of some $50 million to realise a vision for the Macquarie Point precinct. No‑one has come up with an alternative –
Mr Bayley – Yes, they have. You had one. You contracted it.
Dr Woodruff – We sure have. So many.
Mr Bayley – You paid out Melbourne developers not to build it. A billion dollars. He is completely misrepresenting reality.
The SPEAKER – Members of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Your big greenhouses higher than the stadium?
The SPEAKER – Through the Chair, Premier.
Mr ROCKLIFF – There will be investments when it comes to the visitor economy and a whole new industry of young people, particularly. I look at the young people in the gallery today. That’s why we’re doing this: for the opportunity of our young people and future generations. If you oppose this and this does not go ahead, given the journey we’ve been through since 2012 and before, I can guarantee you that in 2035, if the stadium is not built, that place will still be an industrial wasteland.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Dr WOODRUFF – On the original question about honesty to Tasmanians about the cost, Premier, give it up. It’s in the Budget Papers in black and white. The Macquarie Point Development Corporation has $490 million on its books. Your general government papers have $375 million of taxpayers’ money. Will you be honest about the fact that both of those sums are sums of money that Tasmanians will pay? Will you tell people the truth that we will be paying through the nose over $375 million to fund a stadium that we don’t need, borrowing to service it for 30 years.
The SPEAKER – Borrowings and everything was at the heart of the original question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We are transparent when it comes to these matters and have always been open when it comes to the investment required. You can point to matters within the Budget Papers in full transparency, but this is an opportunity that –
Mr Bayley – Recommended against.
The SPEAKER – Mr Bayley.
Mr ROCKLIFF – we must fight for and must not lose as a state. If we lose this opportunity, it’s a once‑in-a-lifetime opportunity, with investment from the AFL –
Dr WOODRUFF – Point of order, Standing Order 45, relevance. I’m not asking about the opportunity. I’m asking about the figures and your promise to Tasmanians of $375 million. Will you let go of that and be honest about the fact it’s going to cost far more than that – at least $490 million more than that.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s $375 million investment from the Tasmanian government as stated in the Budget Papers.
