Govt Paid Developer to Not Build Housing at ‘Stadium Site’

Media release – Dean Winter MP, Shadow Minister for Economic Development, 6 June 2023

Liberal Government pays developer NOT to build houses

Minister Guy Barnett has today revealed his minority Liberal government has paid a developer $1.25 million to abandon a housing project in the middle of a housing crisis.

In November 2021 Milieu was chosen to undertake a housing, retail and hospitality development at the Escarpment site at Macquarie Point, which was described by Minister Barnett as the “the cornerstone of the exciting Macquarie Point development.”

He also told Tasmanians the project was “anticipated to directly employ 215 FTE, and supporting a further 375 FTE during the construction period,” and further claimed that “once complete, a further 110 FTE are expected to be employed for the ongoing operation of the site.”

Instead of providing housing in the middle of a housing crisis, and housing construction jobs when we’ve seen a sharp downturn in dwelling approvals, this minority Liberal government is giving a development company $1.25 million of taxpayer money to do nothing.

This is yet another example of how this ten-year-old minority government has got its priorities completely wrong.

Deceit and deception on AFL/stadium deal unravels

Jeremy Rockliff’s deceit and deception over the advice he has received for his billion dollar Hobart stadium is unravelling.

Today during Budget Estimates, Secretary of State Growth Kim Evans told the hearing he had provided advice on the AFL deal and the stadium to the government.

Clearly Premier Rockliff has again misled both Parliament and the Tasmanian people by claiming no such advice existed.

He also appears to be in contempt of Parliament by not providing this advice last Thursday when he had been ordered to do so.

Minister Barnett’s claim he hasn’t seen this advice also appears to warrant further scrutiny.

Tasmanians have received yet another serving of the Rockliff minority Government’s signature dish – deception and dishonesty.

Media release – Shane Broad MP, Shadow Treasurer, 6 June 2023

Ferguson’s shameful disregard of truth and transparency regarding the AFL deal

Treasurer Michael Ferguson’s shameful refusal to answer the most basic questions about the risks to the Tasmanian taxpayer regarding the stadium and AFL deal is a sad day for democracy in this state.

He refused on countless occasions today to answer any questions about the deal including whether he’d seen the contract prior to it being signed.

A simple yes or no would have sufficed but yet again he’s treated the Tasmanian people, the taxpayers, with utter contempt.

He also refused to answer questions about the risk to the state that the AFL can, at its sole discretion, terminate the deal after 12 years after Tasmania has pumped millions of taxpayers’ money into a stadium and a team (clause 11.5).

To sign a contract where there is a real risk that the AFL can, at its sole discretion, walk away from the deal after 12 years and we’re left with a billion dollar stadium with no footy played in it is disgraceful.

It’s also clear that Mr Ferguson has gagged the Treasury secretary Mr Ferrall from speaking on the topic. If he’s got nothing to hide why won’t he let his Secretary answer questions on the AFL Deal?

The whole deal is a dog’s breakfast and lacking anything resembling governance, transparency and due process.

The AFL deal including the stadium did not go through Cabinet and it wasn’t seen by the Treasurer prior to it being signed.

If both those things had happened the Treasurer and the Premier would have simply answered ‘yes’ when asked.

Instead they continue the disgraceful dishonesty and lack of transparency that has got this government into minority.