Mrs HICKEY - 1994-08-23
I redirect my question to the Minister for Transport and Works.
ANSWER
Mr Speaker, first of all, this is one of the pluses in relation to moving to the new building because the rental costs that are being paid currently will finish forever. Over a number of years, that will offset quite a few dollars. Negotiations are well under way with a number of companies and units in the Territory, mainly in the non-government area, in relation to taking up the space in NT House as it is vacated. The accommodation affords what are probably the best views available for lease in the Territory, and I can assure honourable
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members that there is no lack of quite active players in the field looking to take up that accommodation. If members care to be patient, I will provide further information in this regard as we move out of NT House. At that time, I will be able to advise who will take up the space and exactly ...
Mr Ede: Who pays in the meantime?
Mr MANZIE: While we are in the building, obviously the government will pay. When the new tenants are there, they will pay.
Mr Ede: What if there is a gap?
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, we have the Leader of the Opposition with his usual brilliant interjections. He asks what will happen if there is a gap. It never crosses his mind that there may possibly be activity in the Territory, created by the actions of this government, which means there are commercial entities out there ...
Mr Ede: Who is legally responsible?
Mr MANZIE: ... looking for good office accommodation. If the Leader of the Opposition would relax for a while and think about these matters, he would realise probably that there are plenty of companies that are keen either to set up in the Territory or to move to better office accommodation. They are the people who will pay the bills. While we are there, we will pay. When other tenants take over, they will pay. The inference from the Leader of the Opposition that the building will remain empty is very similar to the thoughts that run around in his head. It is pretty empty too.
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ANSWER
Mr Speaker, first of all, this is one of the pluses in relation to moving to the new building because the rental costs that are being paid currently will finish forever. Over a number of years, that will offset quite a few dollars. Negotiations are well under way with a number of companies and units in the Territory, mainly in the non-government area, in relation to taking up the space in NT House as it is vacated. The accommodation affords what are probably the best views available for lease in the Territory, and I can assure honourable
Page 47
members that there is no lack of quite active players in the field looking to take up that accommodation. If members care to be patient, I will provide further information in this regard as we move out of NT House. At that time, I will be able to advise who will take up the space and exactly ...
Mr Ede: Who pays in the meantime?
Mr MANZIE: While we are in the building, obviously the government will pay. When the new tenants are there, they will pay.
Mr Ede: What if there is a gap?
Mr MANZIE: Mr Speaker, we have the Leader of the Opposition with his usual brilliant interjections. He asks what will happen if there is a gap. It never crosses his mind that there may possibly be activity in the Territory, created by the actions of this government, which means there are commercial entities out there ...
Mr Ede: Who is legally responsible?
Mr MANZIE: ... looking for good office accommodation. If the Leader of the Opposition would relax for a while and think about these matters, he would realise probably that there are plenty of companies that are keen either to set up in the Territory or to move to better office accommodation. They are the people who will pay the bills. While we are there, we will pay. When other tenants take over, they will pay. The inference from the Leader of the Opposition that the building will remain empty is very similar to the thoughts that run around in his head. It is pretty empty too.
Page 48
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016