Dr WOODRUFF question to PREMIER, Mr ROCKLIFF
The $1.13 billion stadium cost estimate was made before the war in the Middle East. Construction prices since then have soared further and industry experts have warned pre‑war budgets won’t be accurate. Parliament flagged this concern to you in May and passed a motion calling for an updated cost estimate. Your government voted against it. Last Friday, in the Public Accounts Committee, your Treasurer admitted that stadium costs will likely rise. The Treasurer was telling the truth, wasn’t he, Premier? Why don’t you be honest with Tasmanians, too, and admit that you’re prepared to spend whatever it costs and definitely more than the $875 million of taxpayers’ money that you promised you wouldn’t spend a cent more of?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, I thank the honourable member for your question. I believe you’re verballing the Treasurer in that question, in actual fact. And, can I say, we are getting on with the job of delivering the Macquarie Point stadium. It was great to be there, just a few weeks ago, turning the first sod with the honourable Treasurer, the member for Franklin, Julie Collins, and other federal Labor representatives. It was very positive to see movement at the station, in many respects. The diggers have arrived, of course, and progress is happening, and this transformative infrastructure, which is on the nation’s minds at the moment at the moment, excited about it, as I travel around the state. I’ve been to 35 towns across Tasmania in the last few weeks, 98 community visits and events and business visits, which has been fantastic; I almost cracked the tonne there – and people are excited about the prospect of what the stadium will bring I in terms of growth, jobs and opportunity.
We won’t be deterred by the Greens’ game playing, whose only objective is to spite this project at every opportunity. Despite the fact, of course, that it went through both Houses of parliament. The member for Clark belled the cat – if that’s the right terminology – and we know your gameplay in many respects for this, or all respects, and that is to ensure that the project does not go ahead. You’ll do everything to destroy jobs and destroy the dreams of Tasmanians.
Dr WOODRUFF – Honourable Speaker, Standing Order 45, relevance. We’re 2 minutes into a 3‑minute question and the Premier hasn’t got to my question about the $875 million. It will be more than that, won’t it Premier?
Mr ROCKLIFF – We are in a live procurement process. This has been well outlined to you and, my understanding, the Public Accounts Committee. The Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) will share further details as soon as they are available to do so, as the chair, Kim Evans, outlined to the PAC on Friday. So, there will be information provided, but we’re not going to provide information that will damage a procurement process, okay. I know the Greens don’t want the stadium, but you do like process, I’ll grant that.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
Supplementary Question
Dr WOODRUFF – Honourable Speaker, the Premier didn’t answer the question. Will he be honest like the Treasurer appeared to be at the Public Accounts Committee last week when he flagged it will likely to be costing more than the $875 million? Will the Premier be honest with Tasmanians, is there a prospect of that? And just be honest about the fact that you’ll pay whatever it costs. That’s what you’re going to do, despite your promise.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, it might be less, how do you know? We will get this stadium built and the opportunity for it. I saw some data the other day where the AFL wanted 28,000 young people participating in AFL/AFLW by 2028 –
Dr Woodruff – You’re cutting thousands of public servant jobs. Every dollar matters. Just be honest about the fact that you are spending more than you promised.
The SPEAKER – Order, Honourable Leader of the Greens. I remind the House to allow the Premier to finish his response. You can ask further questions.
Mr ROCKLIFF – When we signed the agreement for the 19th licence, I think the participation was around 16,500, I stand to be corrected on that figure, and we’ve almost reached the 28,000 right now, such is the enthusiasm that has been generated right across the state. So, I’m not going to be part of game playing by you, to destroy jobs and destroy the dreams of young Tasmanians.
The SPEAKER – The honourable Premier’s time has expired.
