Mrs LAMBLEY - 2012-02-16
This week we have heard about the workers accommodation facility proposed for Darwin. In 2009, you put out a media release announcing you would build a workers accommodation facility in Alice Springs, but you have been silent ever since. What is the current status of the Alice Springs workers camp? Is the government still committed to providing a workers camp in Alice Springs, or is this just another broken promise?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is not my direct portfolio responsibility and I am quite happy to flick that over to my colleague, the member for Barkly ....
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question relates to Central Australia; he is the Minister for Central Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: He is advising that the Minister for Construction has the portfolio responsibility.
Mr ELFERINK: The question was about his media release, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, do you have responsibility for this portfolio?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: You do. Then the question is to you.
Mr McCARTHY (Construction): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for the question, member for Araluen. I hope you are okay with an answer from a Central Australian, someone who works closely with the member for Stuart, and someone who is talking about a lands and planning issue in terms of my ministry of Lands and Planning.
The concept of supported workers accommodation is what this government has been trialling across the Territory for a number of years. We are very interested in any town or community that wants to run with this, and we are working closely with the private sector to deliver it.
Unfortunately, in Alice Springs there was no private sector interest willing to take up our offer. In terms of lands and planning, we have been trying to attract the private sector to the market. Unfortunately, the bids in Alice Springs and the interest level was way out of the ballpark, to be colloquial. However, it reflects a good concept that we are seeing a lot of interest in Darwin which directly relates to a very big project.
As we said yesterday when we spoke about Central Australia, negative on that side, positive on this side ...
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is not answering the question: what is the current status of the Alice Springs workers camp you proposed in 2009?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the point.
Mr McCARTHY: I will repeat it for the member for Araluen: we are waiting for a credible private sector interest to come forward. Member for Araluen, it relates directly to development. We talk positive, we are building infrastructure in Alice Springs, we are about supporting development, and we hope there is an interest that comes forward so we can debate ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr McCARTHY: ... the concept and the concept is supported by government. We have gone forward and offered that to the business sector. Unfortunately, no real bids have come back in, but we are still open for business in Central Australia.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for her question. It is not my direct portfolio responsibility and I am quite happy to flick that over to my colleague, the member for Barkly ....
Mr ELFERINK: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The question relates to Central Australia; he is the Minister for Central Australia.
Madam SPEAKER: He is advising that the Minister for Construction has the portfolio responsibility.
Mr ELFERINK: The question was about his media release, Madam Speaker.
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, do you have responsibility for this portfolio?
Mr McCARTHY: Yes.
Madam SPEAKER: You do. Then the question is to you.
Mr McCARTHY (Construction): Thank you, Madam Speaker. Thank you for the question, member for Araluen. I hope you are okay with an answer from a Central Australian, someone who works closely with the member for Stuart, and someone who is talking about a lands and planning issue in terms of my ministry of Lands and Planning.
The concept of supported workers accommodation is what this government has been trialling across the Territory for a number of years. We are very interested in any town or community that wants to run with this, and we are working closely with the private sector to deliver it.
Unfortunately, in Alice Springs there was no private sector interest willing to take up our offer. In terms of lands and planning, we have been trying to attract the private sector to the market. Unfortunately, the bids in Alice Springs and the interest level was way out of the ballpark, to be colloquial. However, it reflects a good concept that we are seeing a lot of interest in Darwin which directly relates to a very big project.
As we said yesterday when we spoke about Central Australia, negative on that side, positive on this side ...
Mrs LAMBLEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The minister is not answering the question: what is the current status of the Alice Springs workers camp you proposed in 2009?
Madam SPEAKER: Minister, can you come to the point.
Mr McCARTHY: I will repeat it for the member for Araluen: we are waiting for a credible private sector interest to come forward. Member for Araluen, it relates directly to development. We talk positive, we are building infrastructure in Alice Springs, we are about supporting development, and we hope there is an interest that comes forward so we can debate ...
Mr Giles interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Braitling!
Mr McCARTHY: ... the concept and the concept is supported by government. We have gone forward and offered that to the business sector. Unfortunately, no real bids have come back in, but we are still open for business in Central Australia.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016