Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Premier, we heard from the member for Elwick this morning that you promised to seek funding from the federal government, the AFL or Cricket Australia should the stadium costs exceed the current projection of $1.13 billion. Obviously, it will cost more than that. It’s still not fully designed. The construction contract is still a year away, at least. Have you received, Premier, any commitment from the federal government, the AFL or from Cricket Australia that they’ll bail you out if the stadium cost rises yet again?
ANSWER
No, I haven’t received any commitment. Should that eventuate, over the contingency and over the cost escalation there are various options, including seeking further funding from the entities that you mentioned, but also value managing the project in terms of the project’s –
Mr Bayley – Cutting corners? No, it’s round.
Mr ROCKLIFF – No, Deputy Leader. There are a lot of considerations there. This is a P90 project with contingency and with cost escalation built into the $1.13 billion. I’m confident, given the scrutiny on this project, that it will be within budget. Like the Bridgewater Bridge was.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Dr WOODRUFF – Supplementary?
The SPEAKER – Supplementary.
Dr WOODRUFF – I think everybody who’s listening would want to know what the Premier means by ‘value managing’ the project. He’s said, yet again, that there won’t be more money coming from Tasmanians, and he doesn’t have any commitments from the AFL, Cricket Australia or the Federal Government. What does value managing the extra cost to this project mean, specifically in terms of how much Tasmanians would pay?
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s about working within your budget.
Dr Woodruff – Cutting the designs? Changing the design?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, working within, it could be the amenities, it could be in a lot of areas. I’m not going to be specific about it, except to say it’s about ensuring you have options either to come within the budget or seek further funds from elsewhere. It’s pretty simple.
Dr Woodruff – You could ditch the corporate box.
Mr Rockliff – I know you’ll be in it; you’ll be one of the first, I reckon.
Members interjecting.
Dr Woodruff – In your dreams.
The SPEAKER – Order. The House will settle, because the only one who has the call right now is the Leader of Opposition Business.
