Mr BURKE - 2004-12-01
In respect of the waterfront, 25 ha of prime capital city waterfront land is a significant component of the Darwin city waterfront development. What is the 25 ha of land currently valued at?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I dealt with the 25 ha of land and details to do with cost and return to government in an answer yesterday. I would have thought the member for Brennan would have listened to that answer because, despite the knocking, I believe they are interested in the waterfront.
I made it very clear that, once the financial issues with the preferred developer are worked through, I would stand in here and account to Territorians on every aspect of this ...
Mr Burke: After you have committed them.
Ms MARTIN: The member for Brennan said: ‘After we have committed’. We are the government! We have a project …
Mr Burke: You do not own the land; the taxpayer owns the land! Not you! The taxpayer wants to know what their contribution is going to be.
Ms MARTIN: We have said that our contribution to the development is the land. Is that clear? We are in detailed financial negotiations. Why should I give that detail when we are in detailed financial negotiation? Be sensible about this.
I will come in here once we have a wonderful deal for Territorians, with return coming to them over the life of the development. As the land grows in value, the return will be substantial. It will be a winner for Territorians. We will get a return and we will have a wonderful development on the waterfront.
Ms Carney: This has a real smell.
Ms MARTIN: Again, it is knock, knock, knock. The member for Drysdale has been the only one in the opposition getting anywhere near honesty on this. He thinks, and has said quite clearly, they would scrap it - they would scrap the waterfront development. Go out and tell Territorians that you want to scrap the jobs, the business opportunities, the new amenity for Territorians, and the recreation opportunities. Go and tell Territorians that.
I would expect a former Chief Minister to understand about commercial-in-confidence negotiations. Having gone through the railway, I would think you would understand that. However, obviously, no. It is a bit sad, isn’t it?
Mr Burke: A supplementary, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, no supplementary. I believe the Chief Minister has answered.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I dealt with the 25 ha of land and details to do with cost and return to government in an answer yesterday. I would have thought the member for Brennan would have listened to that answer because, despite the knocking, I believe they are interested in the waterfront.
I made it very clear that, once the financial issues with the preferred developer are worked through, I would stand in here and account to Territorians on every aspect of this ...
Mr Burke: After you have committed them.
Ms MARTIN: The member for Brennan said: ‘After we have committed’. We are the government! We have a project …
Mr Burke: You do not own the land; the taxpayer owns the land! Not you! The taxpayer wants to know what their contribution is going to be.
Ms MARTIN: We have said that our contribution to the development is the land. Is that clear? We are in detailed financial negotiations. Why should I give that detail when we are in detailed financial negotiation? Be sensible about this.
I will come in here once we have a wonderful deal for Territorians, with return coming to them over the life of the development. As the land grows in value, the return will be substantial. It will be a winner for Territorians. We will get a return and we will have a wonderful development on the waterfront.
Ms Carney: This has a real smell.
Ms MARTIN: Again, it is knock, knock, knock. The member for Drysdale has been the only one in the opposition getting anywhere near honesty on this. He thinks, and has said quite clearly, they would scrap it - they would scrap the waterfront development. Go out and tell Territorians that you want to scrap the jobs, the business opportunities, the new amenity for Territorians, and the recreation opportunities. Go and tell Territorians that.
I would expect a former Chief Minister to understand about commercial-in-confidence negotiations. Having gone through the railway, I would think you would understand that. However, obviously, no. It is a bit sad, isn’t it?
Mr Burke: A supplementary, Madam Speaker!
Madam SPEAKER: No, no supplementary. I believe the Chief Minister has answered.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016