Mr BAYLEY question to MINISTER for MACQUARIE POINT URBAN RENEWAL, Mr ABETZ
[10.37 a.m.]
Few expect the cost of the stadium to stop at $1.13 billion, the latest estimate following multiple cost blowouts since this project was first announced at $715 million. However, one factor that will impact future blowouts is the construction contract that you sign, and influencing that is the pool of construction companies that you can negotiate with. Can you confirm how many construction companies are currently in that pool, and is it true that you are down to a single construction company that has formally expressed interest in building the stadium?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, in relation to the cost of the stadium, as a government we rely on the best advice that we can get from quantity surveyors. As it stands, it is at $1.13 billion. As soon as we as a government were advised, I think it was on a Monday, that there was a revised cost, we, in fact, informed the public, I think it was the very next day, within 24 hours. Should pricing change for whatever reason, of course we will inform the public.
This will be a publicly‑owned asset, but that said, we as a state government are exceptionally appreciative of the support being provided to it, not only by the AFL but also the federal Labor government. It is a three-way project, and I’m sure all three will be exceptionally interested in ensuring that we get good value for money for the bill that we get there.
Expressions of interest were sought and a number of companies, I understand, put forward to the relevant people and we are now determining which ones of those can move forward to the request for tender. I’m not going to say any more about that because, as you would imagine, especially with all the layers of probity and other things that this parliament and the other place and members have wanted, it would be highly inappropriate for me to know exactly which companies have put forward and which companies are wanting to move on for requests for tender. That is all being done at arm’s-length and if there is any detail that I might be able to provide, of course, as always, more than willing to share.
Supplementary Question
Mr BAYLEY – A supplementary question, Speaker?
The SPEAKER – I will hear the supplementary question.
Mr BAYLEY – This is obviously a very serious issue. Treasury raised concerns about the risk of a limited pool of construction companies being interested in this. I asked you explicitly whether you were down to a single construction company that is interested and you’re negotiating with. Additionally, you indicated in your answer that you would inform the public as soon as there is any changed price or new information. Can you confirm that will mean you will immediately release the contractor, the figure of the contract you agree to?
The SPEAKER – Time’s expired. The Treasurer can refer to the first part of that, not to the second.
Mr ABETZ – We are an open and transparent government. In relation to Macquarie Point, I have sought to do that to the very best of my ability since I undertook that task, I think it was in November 2024. I will continue to do so.
In relation to contracting, by the time we get to a final contract I assume will take the best part, if not the whole of this year, because there will be a lot of work to be undertaken to lock away that contract with all the subcontractors, et cetera. In the meantime, a lot of work will nevertheless be undertaken on the site, such as the removal of contaminated soils which, might I add, would need to be done irrespective of the use that we would put that parcel of land to, and also the unpacking of the Goods Shed ready for its re-erection as part of the stadium.
The SPEAKER – The Treasurer’s time has expired.
