Independent Member for Elwick, Bec Thomas MLC, will today move a Matter of Public Importance in the Legislative Council concerning the proposed sale of public land at Wilkinsons Point and the State Government’s handling of negotiations with LK Group.
Ms Thomas said recent statements by Premier Jeremy Rockliff MP regarding the origins of the proposal and the role of Glenorchy City Council had raised serious questions that warranted parliamentary scrutiny.
“The documentary record raises legitimate questions about whether the Government has accurately characterised the wishes of Glenorchy City Council, and the reasons for subsequent Government decisions to purchase the site and continue negotiations with LK Group,” Ms Thomas said.
“These are important matters because they go directly to accountability and transparency in decisions made about public assets owned by all Tasmanians.”
Ms Thomas said the debate would examine the history of the proposal, the State Government’s continuation of exclusive negotiations with LK Group for more than six years, and the Auditor-General’s findings of significant shortcomings in advice and process relating to the proposed sale.
“After more than six years of negotiations, serious findings from the Auditor-General and continued uncertainty about the costs, risks and terms of any proposed sale, Parliament has a responsibility to examine whether Tasmanians are receiving the transparency and accountability they deserve.
“The debate is not about opposing development at Wilkinsons Point. I have consistently supported the appropriate development of the site and recognise the significant economic opportunities it presents.
“The question is whether the process followed by Government meets the standards Tasmanians are entitled to expect when dealing with valuable public assets.”
Ms Thomas said she would use the debate to call on the Premier to correct the public record regarding the role of Glenorchy City Council and the State Government in shaping the pathway that led to the current negotiations, release the key advice underpinning the Government’s approach to Wilkinsons Point, disclose the full extent of taxpayer-funded commitments associated with the proposal, and explain why exclusive negotiations continue more than six years after the Government acquired the site.
“If the Government cannot clearly demonstrate that continuing exclusive negotiations remains in the best interests of Tasmanians and disclose the cost and risk to taxpayers, it should commit to an open, transparent and competitive process,” Ms Thomas said.
“Public assets belong to the people of Tasmania, not the Premier.”
Background
- Auditor-General Report (Sept 2025) – Proposed Sale of Wilkinsons Point Land
(link to full report: Proposed-sale-of-Wilkinsons-Point-land-full-report.pdf)- Significant shortcomings in advice and process identified.
- Auditor-General found the uniqueness of the original unsolicited proposal had diminished over time.
- Auditor-General unable to fully assess aspects of decision-making due to restricted access to Cabinet documents.
- Correspondence between Glenorchy City Council and the State Government
(link to relevant letters: 004_Wilkinsons-Point_Redacted.pdf)- Communication between Glenorchy City Council, the State Government and LK Group, as published on the Public Accounts Committee webpage.
- Public Accounts Committee Inquiry – Sale of Wilkinsons Point
(link to transcripts and documents: Sale of Wilkinsons Point | Parliament of Tasmania)- Evidence and correspondence provided during the inquiry, published on the Public Accounts Committee Website.
- Premier’s Media Release – 23 February 2025
(link to media release: Massive economic boost with Wilkinsons Point transformation | Premier of Tasmania)- Announcement that the Government had agreed to sell Crown land at Wilkinsons Point to LK Group for a proposed $500 million development.
- Budget Estimates Evidence – MyState Bank Arena Lease (link to Question on Notice response: 260612-QON-Response-Sport.pdf)
- Evidence confirming base rent arrangements and taxpayer-funded hiring fee contributions associated with operation of the arena.
- To view the MyState Bank Arena Lease Agreement as published on the Public Accounts Committee webpage, visit Lease-of-the-Derwent-Entertainment-Centre.PDF
Rockliff must test the market on Wilkinsons Point
Premier Jeremy Rockliff must take Wilkinsons Point to the open market to make sure Tasmanians get the best deal for their land.
Labor supports development at Wilkinsons Point. We support jobs, investment, and better use of public land. But this is valuable Crown land owned by Tasmanians, and the Premier has failed to explain why one billionaire proponent should get exclusive access through an endless closed-door negotiation.
State Growth advised the Government to cease negotiations with LK Group and test the open market.
It also warned that activating the site could expose taxpayers to up to $100 million in costs, with no certainty of development and no guarantee of contribution from LK Group.
Despite that advice, Premier Rockliff is still bending over backwards for a billionaire while refusing to give Tasmanians basic guarantees about risk, value, and process.
Wilkinsons Point has previously been valued at around $6 million under its current recreational zoning. The Premier has been unable to say if the land is sold at one value, then rezoned or activated for a much higher-value development, Tasmanian taxpayers will realise the value.
- Would every other proponent receive the same treatment?
- Would every other developer get exclusive negotiations for years on end?
- Would every other developer get the benefit of taxpayer-funded infrastructure and a favourable rezoning change without an open market process?
After 13 years of Liberal waste, Tasmanians cannot afford another deal where Tasmanian taxpayers carry all the risk.
If this proposal is as strong as the Premier says, it should stand up to an open and competitive process.
Taking Wilkinsons Point to the market is the best way to protect taxpayers and make sure Tasmania gets full value for its land.
The Premier should stop hiding behind secret negotiations and give every potential proponent the same chance to deliver the best deal for Tasmania.
Josh Willie MP – Labor Leader
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