Mr BAYLEY question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The Tasmanian Planning Commission has recently written to the Macquarie Point Development Corporation, your stadium developer, demanding more information so it can assess the project consistent with the Project of State Significance (POSS) guidelines. From the Tasmanian Planning Commission documents, it is clear you have consistently misled Tasmanians about how much the Macquarie Point Stadium will cost to build and make operational.
You ran through enabling legislation for the Stony Rise developer and Liberal donor, Tipalea, when planning processes did not suit them. History shows that Liberal and Labor are willing to bypass process to facilitate development –
Mr Willie – You like POSS now? You tried to do that last week.
Mr BAYLEY – when the planning authority is not going to be pushed around: pulp mill, cable car, Stony Rise.
Mr Winter – Did you not just try and legislate away the stadium?
Mr BAYLEY – Premier, will you categorically rule out legislation to sidestep the POSS process and approve the stadium despite all of its demonstrable failures?
Ms Finlay – No regard for the TPC.
Mr Winter- You just tried to legislate against it.
The SPEAKER – Members of the opposition, as much as you enjoyed those interjections, you cannot make them.
ANSWER
We are working through the planning process now with the Project of State Significance. We brought through legislation last year to enhance the scrutiny of significant developments, which requires the approval of both Houses of parliament, recognising the need for development in this state, and the huge opportunity that this brings. This is why I cannot quite fathom the Greens’ opposition to this, apart from your political position. If you want to strengthen –
Mr Bayley – Money, heritage impacts – a bunch of reasons.
The SPEAKER – I am sure the Deputy Leader of the Greens was just chatting to his colleague and not interjecting then.
Mr ROCKLIFF – If you want to strengthen the opportunity of sustainable transport solutions, whether that be rapid bus transport, light rail, or the ferry network, then this is an opportunity. There is an opportunity in stadia infrastructure, which is an $8 billion economy across the nation that we are missing out on. We want to be part of that. The member, I would hope – but I do not expect he will – needs to get on board with the opportunity that this project will bring.
It is not just about AFL. It is about aspirations for young Tasmanians. You have seen the opportunity the JackJumpers have brought. That has been public investment on infrastructure. The JackJumpers have been a great success for Tasmanians, and continue to be so. In my view, this will be tenfold when it comes to the jobs that can be created in this sporting community, the health jobs that can be created. It is fantastic to see the JackJumpers, netball, football, and the Hurricanes together, designing –
Mr BAYLEY – Point of order, Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance. I asked the question whether the Premier would categorically rule out sidestepping the POSS process and passing special legislation to approve the stadium.
The SPEAKER – I will call the Premier to that question and ask him to be relevant to it, please.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We have no intention of bypassing the current process, which requires both Houses of parliament. We want to work through the current process as it is. I look forward to the Planning Commission doing its work thoroughly and diligently. No doubt there will be matters that are very sensible that they bring forward, that we need to take account of with respect to this project.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
Mr BAYLEY – A supplementary question, speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Mr BAYLEY – The Premier spoke of the opportunity for infrastructure, but one of the things the Planning Commission is pushing back on is the fact that the POSS application does not have information in there about the enabling infrastructure for the stadium. The question to the Premier is will he ensure that that enabling infrastructure does become part of the POSS application? If it is not, will you rule out sidestepping the process?
The SPEAKER – I think it does go to the original question and the answer the Premier gave in terms of the other infrastructure that was required. I am not sure if you can add much more than you have done. I will ask the Premier. I will rule it in.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I believe I have answered the question in a comprehensive way. This is about the entire precinct. It is not just about stadia infrastructure. It is all the associated matters that will benefit the community. You are nodding your head –
Mr Bayley – That is not in the application.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Dr Woodruff, then you went like that.
Dr Woodruff – I am discombobulated at what you are saying, Premier.
Mr ROCKLIFF – You are coming around to my ideas, fantastic. Well done.
Dr Woodruff – I cannot make any sense of it. I am in a washing machine.
The SPEAKER – For Hansard’s benefit, the nodding does not actually appear. It was a good‑hearted interjection, so the Leader of the Greens can stay, but she is on very, very thin ice.
