Mr STYLES - 2012-11-01
For years the previous government stated the contract for the prison was $495m. What is the real cost?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I spoke in this House during Question Time last week about the contracts which exist between the Northern Territory government and the provider. I reiterated the construction cost of the prison would be in the order of $495m. I understand the Auditor-General has wound that up to $521m.
However, one of the components of that contract I found objectionable was extra spending had to be kept secret because of the arrangements entered into by the former government.
Ms Lawrie: How is it a secret? It was published in October last year.
Mr ELFERINK: Fortunately, SeNTinel, the provider, has given information to the government which enables me, in the public interest, to talk about ...
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am having difficulty hearing the reply. The constant sniping from the Leader of the Opposition makes it difficult to hear the member for Port Darwin.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim. Could you keep your comments down please, Leader of the Opposition?
Mr ELFERINK: There were other components to the arrangements I can now speak to because of the release, effectively, given me by the contractual arrangements. The cost of the prison, if you include those components of procurement and non-construction elements, will be $621m. The figure in the paper the Leader of the Opposition is waving around is the construction cost. It does not include the other components, which were kept from us ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The nett present cost of SeNTinel’s winning proposal is $798m. It is all contained in here. You received a briefing on it.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please be seated. Minister, you have the call.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I am no longer bound by the secrecy clause thanks to SeNTinel for its understanding of the public interest in relation to this matter. It is a fine firm and has been working hard for the people of the Northern Territory. It understands there is a public interest component to this discussion.
These extra costs have to be borne by the taxpayer and demonstrate the former government did not disclose the full and true cost of the new prison to the people of the Northern Territory.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I spoke in this House during Question Time last week about the contracts which exist between the Northern Territory government and the provider. I reiterated the construction cost of the prison would be in the order of $495m. I understand the Auditor-General has wound that up to $521m.
However, one of the components of that contract I found objectionable was extra spending had to be kept secret because of the arrangements entered into by the former government.
Ms Lawrie: How is it a secret? It was published in October last year.
Mr ELFERINK: Fortunately, SeNTinel, the provider, has given information to the government which enables me, in the public interest, to talk about ...
Ms Lawrie interjecting.
Mr TOLLNER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! I am having difficulty hearing the reply. The constant sniping from the Leader of the Opposition makes it difficult to hear the member for Port Darwin.
Madam SPEAKER: Thank you, member for Fong Lim. Could you keep your comments down please, Leader of the Opposition?
Mr ELFERINK: There were other components to the arrangements I can now speak to because of the release, effectively, given me by the contractual arrangements. The cost of the prison, if you include those components of procurement and non-construction elements, will be $621m. The figure in the paper the Leader of the Opposition is waving around is the construction cost. It does not include the other components, which were kept from us ...
Ms LAWRIE: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The nett present cost of SeNTinel’s winning proposal is $798m. It is all contained in here. You received a briefing on it.
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition, please be seated. Minister, you have the call.
Mr ELFERINK: Madam Speaker, I am no longer bound by the secrecy clause thanks to SeNTinel for its understanding of the public interest in relation to this matter. It is a fine firm and has been working hard for the people of the Northern Territory. It understands there is a public interest component to this discussion.
These extra costs have to be borne by the taxpayer and demonstrate the former government did not disclose the full and true cost of the new prison to the people of the Northern Territory.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016