Ms O’CONNOR – Thanks, Madam Chair. Premier, your government cannot properly fund the Integrity Commission. It has not funded the National Preventative Mechanism to the extent that it is even able to perform its statutory functions. Yet in this budget you can find $4 million for Cadbury’s and a chocolate fountain. What do you think that says about your priorities? If you cannot fund your integrity bodies properly but you can give Cadbury’s $4 million? Then there is the rest, of course, because potentially there is another $8 million ahead. So, $12 million to a private multinational corporation for a chocolate fountain nobody asked for and Tasmania cannot afford.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, you know, we focus on a lot of areas when it comes to investment, growing the visitor economy. We have had this discussion this morning around your characterisation of priorities around investment in enabling infrastructure when it comes to the Macquarie Point precinct. I would argue that we invest in health services, housing, cost of living support –
Ms O’CONNOR – Not in our integrity and oversight bodies.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, I’ve also had the discussion on integrity matters and the increasing funding as well.
Ms O’CONNOR – Very small, and they’re still subject to an efficiency dividend. In fact, the Ombudsman, who has the role of being the National Preventative Mechanism to prevent inhumane treatment or torture in places where people have been deprived of their liberty, has said he is unable to perform his statutory functions on the amount of money that government has provided him. Yet, you can find $4 million in this Budget and are planning another $8 million to give to Cadburys. What do you think that says about your priorities?
Mr ROCKLIFF – In my view, it’s about investing in services and investing in integrity matters, as you call it.
Ms O’CONNOR – Underinvesting.
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s about investing in enabling infrastructure. The chocolate experience at Cadbury will be a major tourism and economic driver. It’s estimated the project will return some $120 million to the economy each year and represents 3000 construction jobs and 200 ongoing jobs once complete. It’ll also see the construction of two new ferries in Hobart, a new ferry terminal with public access at Claremont waterfront parklands. Like MONA, for example, the chocolate experience will be a unique visitor attraction drawing tourists and locals alike to Hobart’s northern suburbs and will include an immersion into chocolate making, the world’s tallest glass and a half chocolate fountain, build your own bar experience, arboretum –
Ms O’CONNOR – I’d have thought you’d rather prevent the inhumane treatment of people in places where their liberty has been taken away.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yes, but can I –
Ms O’CONNOR – Can I ask, Premier, whose idea was it to fund a chocolate fountain?
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, it’s not a fountain.
Ms O’CONNOR – Okay, a chocolate experience that includes a fountain and all that other palaver you talked about.
Mr ROCKLIFF – So under our 2030 Strong Plan –
Ms O’CONNOR – Whose idea was it?
Mr ROCKLIFF – for Tasmania’s future, we will contribute $4 million to get the project shovel ready.
Ms O’CONNOR – That’s not the question.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I’m happy to come to the question.
Ms O’CONNOR – Whose idea? Where did it come from?
Mr ROCKLIFF – It’s a policy that we work through like you work through your policies as the Greens.
Ms O’CONNOR – Yes, ours are evidence based and public good.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, you know –
Ms O’CONNOR – Anyway, I’m happy to move along.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I’m not –
Ms WEBB – Maybe it was a basketball game, someone ran into him.
Ms O’CONNOR – Premier, can I just –
Mr ROCKLIFF – Well, come on now. Chair.
CHAIR – Thank you. That’s inappropriate.
Ms WEBB – I apologise for that comment.
CHAIR – Inappropriate.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Thank you.
Ms WEBB – It was unnecessary, that one.
Mr ROCKLIFF – That’s all right. Can we just be respectful, you know?
CHAIR – It’s getting close to the lunch break.
Mr ROCKLIFF – I’m happy to have all the questions. I’ve had a barrage of questions all day, taking it on the chin. I’m happy to take it.
Ms O’CONNOR – You almost look like you enjoy it.
Mr ROCKLIFF – We can have a conversation about that at some point, Ms O’Connor. But of course we’ll contribute $4 million to get the project shovel ready and commence initial siteworks including public walkways, cycleways and headworks. Subject to the achievement of agreed milestones and due diligence, up to a further $8 million will be made available to realise the $100 million vision. It is a great experience. We can enhance that experience with other community infrastructure for people to be able to visit the experience.
Ms O’CONNOR – Cadburys could pay for it, for example. They’ve got multi-billion dollar profits globally. This money has been hooked out of the Tasmanian Budget where we’ve got, was it, $5.4 billion net debt, over $8 billion by the end of the forward Estimates. Why can’t Cadburys pay for this?
Mr ROCKLIFF – It is investment and a partnership with industry, and we’re investing –
Ms O’CONNOR – A partnership.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Yes, well –
Ms O’CONNOR – They saw you coming.
Mr ROCKLIFF – Ms O’Connor –
