Ms CARNEY - 2006-08-29
The Tiger Brennan Drive extension was estimated by your government to cost $27m. Now, apparently, it is going to cost $40m. Your government estimated the cost of a radiation oncology unit at $14m. Now, apparently, it is going to cost in the vicinity of $50m. These are but two examples demonstrating how poor you and your government are in fiscal matters. How is it that your government manages to get its financial estimates so wrong? Are you and your ministers incompetent, or are you broke, or is it a combination of the two?
ANSWER
Mr Stirling: Three surplus budgets. That is the answer.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, the Treasurer could not resist and he said: ‘Three surplus budgets. We ain’t broke’. I listened very carefully to the Minister for Planning and Lands in response to three questions on Tiger Brennan Drive and how the federal government has reneged on their commitment for dollars for that project. I wonder why the Opposition Leader did not listen to the answer. The minister spelt out very clearly what the issue is about escalating costs.
The Opposition Leader has been in this House for quite a few years now, and must see at Estimates and budget time, how costs increase with all projects around the Territory. It is something we have to deal with. We have escalating costs here. If the Leader of the Opposition was talking to business, she would also hear that they are facing the same kind of escalations as we are. You are looking at 25% to 40% in cost escalations because of the growth in the economy, the growing cost of labour, and the growing cost of materials.
Instead of leading with her chin and saying someone must be incompetent, she should understand better the factors we are dealing with in the Territory economy. They are real factors. On one hand, we have these escalating costs, but on the other hand, it is because we have a growing economy. Take a look outside: a skyline that is full of cranes, a lot of activity, every business wanting to employ more staff, and we have the Leader of the Opposition saying: ‘Why can you not predict costs? You are asking why something which cost X amount of dollars three years ago, does not still cost the same now. We can give you a few briefings. You can talk to business, and you will clearly understand what those costs are. That is the issue with Tiger Brennan Drive.
Setting up an oncology unit is more than just that unit. There are other factors such as staffing and accommodation for people who come to Darwin to use that service. There are many other factors and that much larger sum properly reflects the costs of oncology. We could be accused of not getting our figures right if we did not have all those costs out in the open, in discussion with the federal government. As the minister said, those discussions are very productive.
Madam Speaker, I add a final note here. I think every single question asked by the opposition in this Question Time has been asked on behalf of the Canberra Liberals.
ANSWER
Mr Stirling: Three surplus budgets. That is the answer.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, the Treasurer could not resist and he said: ‘Three surplus budgets. We ain’t broke’. I listened very carefully to the Minister for Planning and Lands in response to three questions on Tiger Brennan Drive and how the federal government has reneged on their commitment for dollars for that project. I wonder why the Opposition Leader did not listen to the answer. The minister spelt out very clearly what the issue is about escalating costs.
The Opposition Leader has been in this House for quite a few years now, and must see at Estimates and budget time, how costs increase with all projects around the Territory. It is something we have to deal with. We have escalating costs here. If the Leader of the Opposition was talking to business, she would also hear that they are facing the same kind of escalations as we are. You are looking at 25% to 40% in cost escalations because of the growth in the economy, the growing cost of labour, and the growing cost of materials.
Instead of leading with her chin and saying someone must be incompetent, she should understand better the factors we are dealing with in the Territory economy. They are real factors. On one hand, we have these escalating costs, but on the other hand, it is because we have a growing economy. Take a look outside: a skyline that is full of cranes, a lot of activity, every business wanting to employ more staff, and we have the Leader of the Opposition saying: ‘Why can you not predict costs? You are asking why something which cost X amount of dollars three years ago, does not still cost the same now. We can give you a few briefings. You can talk to business, and you will clearly understand what those costs are. That is the issue with Tiger Brennan Drive.
Setting up an oncology unit is more than just that unit. There are other factors such as staffing and accommodation for people who come to Darwin to use that service. There are many other factors and that much larger sum properly reflects the costs of oncology. We could be accused of not getting our figures right if we did not have all those costs out in the open, in discussion with the federal government. As the minister said, those discussions are very productive.
Madam Speaker, I add a final note here. I think every single question asked by the opposition in this Question Time has been asked on behalf of the Canberra Liberals.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016