Ms BURNET question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
Premier, your obstinate pursuit of a billion-dollar Macquarie Point stadium at the expense of critical infrastructure upgrades at the Port of Hobart is already having real consequences. The Australian has reported that Western Australia wants to see the RSV Nuyina and the entire Australian Antarctic program relocated to Fremantle. This would be a disaster for the Tasmanian economy and for many hundreds of local jobs across many industries and it is a threat that is now more real than ever, thanks to the approach your government is taking. Your government was awarded $240 million by the federal government for the Macquarie Point precinct, including Wharf 6. Is it the case that you have not allocated a single cent of this $240 million to this essential port upgrade and instead plan to blow it all on a stadium at Macquarie Point that we do not need?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for her question. I reject the premise of the question. I am perplexed at the fact that the Greens come in here – and to a certain extent Labor as well, in the last week – not standing up for Tasmania. Backing in the federal Labor government is extraordinary, so I reject the premise of your question. We on this side of the House will always stand up for Tasmania and Tasmanians and we expect the Australian Government to remain committed to Hobart as the Antarctic gateway and invest accordingly. That is our expectation and we will continue to be very vigorous in our pursuit of the Labor federal government and Ms Plibersek, the minister, to keep their word.
Dr Woodruff – How much of the $240 million are you spending on the wharf?
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We will not sit idly by and let the federal Labor government and the minister threaten Tasmanians and Tasmania.
I am aware of the most recent media reporting in relation to this particular matter and it only strengthens my resolve to keep federal Labor to its word about the Antarctic gateway and Hobart’s place in that, which should be secure. It so happens that I will be meeting with Minister Plibersek in coming days and this will be a key –
Mr Winter You are intervening?
The SPEAKER – The Premier is answering a question from the member for Clark. Please allow her to hear it.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you, Speaker. I look forward to meeting the federal Labor minister. There is a number of things we could talk about, which you are remarkably silent on. You are silent on MMG, silent on sticking up for salmon jobs on the west coast –
Ms Finlay – Silence on sticking up for salmon jobs? You have got to be joking.
The SPEAKER – Member for Bass, do not be the first person who is warned.
Mr ROCKLIFF – and silence when it comes to supporting Robbins Island wind farm and the federal Labor government –
Ms BURNET – Point of order.
The SPEAKER – Premier, there is a point of order I will hear from the member for Clarke.
Ms BURNET – Point of order, Standing Order 45. The Premier is not answering the question.
The SPEAKER – I will draw the Premier to the question.
Dr Woodruff – How much have you allocated of the $240 million?
The SPEAKER – I am sure the Premier remembers the question on the allocation of funding, thank you, Leader of the Greens.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I rejected the premise of the question, incidentally. In reference to other important infrastructure, what is needed from the federal Labor government, member for Clark, is serious, sustained, long-term Antarctic science research and infrastructure funding.
The SPEAKER – Time has expired, Premier.
SUPPLEMENTARY QUESTION
The SPEAKER – I am not sure if the member is seeking a supplementary question?
The SPEAKER – due to the introduction that you provided in your first question, but the supplementary stands as the actual question on port upgrade costs and assignment of funding. Premier?
Opposition members interjecting.
The SPEAKER – The Premier is going to answer the question. Thank you very much, members on my left.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Honourable Speaker, I thank the member for the supplementary question. TasPorts is investing in Berths 4 and 5, and as you would expect. TasPorts are working with the federal Labor government to deliver Berth 6 on reasonable commercial terms. That is in Tasmania’s best interest, and you would expect us as a state government to stand up for Tasmania and Tasmanians. I am perplexed, frankly, at why the local mayor, the Greens, and Labor would prefer to stick up for a federal Labor government at the expense of the Tasmanian people.
Dr Woodruff – Do you want to be the premier under whom the Antarctic gateway goes to Western Australia?
The SPEAKER – Leader of the Greens, you are routinely distressed if people interject while you are speaking. I call the Independent member for Franklin.
