Mr STIRLING - 2001-07-05
In December 1997, when this minister was the Planning Minister, he directed the Planning Authority to give the go ahead to a 14-story residential development of Harry Chan Avenue, overriding the authority’s chair, John Maley, who had serious concerns about the development. The minister subsequently purchased a third floor unit in the same complex from the developer, paying $225 000, according to land titles documents. Yet, in the same period, units on lower floors of equivalent size were sold for between $15 000 and $30 000 more than the one purchased by the minister. Minister, how do you explain your obvious conflict of interest in this matter? How do you explain that your unit, with better views of the harbour, was significantly cheaper that the others?
ANSWER
Pretty simple, Mr Speaker, I made an offer and the owners accepted the offer. Let me tell you, it was not a particularly smart move. In fact, an identical unit on the same floor, I am led to understand, sold some months after I bought mine, for $205 000, indicating that I made an immediate $20 000 loss.
Mr Lugg: You got done.
Mr PALMER: I got dudded, I got well and truly dudded. I doubt if today I could get the same money for that unit. And, yes it does have lovely views of the harbour, of ...
Mr Reed: Pristine mangroves.
Mr PALMER: Pristine mangroves.
Mr Reed: Bobbing porpoises.
Mr PALMER: Yes, bobbing water. I provided a written offer to the real estate agent and it was accepted, it was as simple as that, a simple deal. As I said, I doubt if I would get the same money for that unit. Following that, I ask that any further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
ANSWER
Pretty simple, Mr Speaker, I made an offer and the owners accepted the offer. Let me tell you, it was not a particularly smart move. In fact, an identical unit on the same floor, I am led to understand, sold some months after I bought mine, for $205 000, indicating that I made an immediate $20 000 loss.
Mr Lugg: You got done.
Mr PALMER: I got dudded, I got well and truly dudded. I doubt if today I could get the same money for that unit. And, yes it does have lovely views of the harbour, of ...
Mr Reed: Pristine mangroves.
Mr PALMER: Pristine mangroves.
Mr Reed: Bobbing porpoises.
Mr PALMER: Yes, bobbing water. I provided a written offer to the real estate agent and it was accepted, it was as simple as that, a simple deal. As I said, I doubt if I would get the same money for that unit. Following that, I ask that any further questions be placed on the Question Paper.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016