Mr BURKE - 2003-08-12
How can you convince Territorians that your financial analysis stacks up on a project for which you have not even gone to the marketplace to find expressions of interest, yet you have publicly stated you will commit $100m to? Is that $100m for the capital cost of the project? Does that $100m include the capital cost plus recurrent costs? Does it include associated infrastructure works? Just what is the financial analysis? Come clean with Territorians and tell them what it is.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know how many times I have to answer this. I believe this would be the fourth time I have actually indicated what the $100m is for. It starkly contrasts with not a cent ever being put down by the previous government for a convention centre – not a cent put down.
Let me explain one more time: $100m is to fund the convention centre and associated infrastructure works to do with the wider waterfront development. Okay? The convention and exhibition centre …
Mr Reed: A great way of doing business.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Listen! I am sorry if I sound a bit irritated, but this is the fourth time I have said it. I apologise for having to say it again and again. $100m capital to build the convention and exhibition centre and associated infrastructure to do with the wharf redevelopment.
We are now going to the private sector, and there is considerable interest from around the country, as well as locally, may I say - considerable interest to put in an expression of interest for this redevelopment. We will be having very rigorous assessments of what is put to us. We will be looking for the best for Territorians. What we are also looking for is an excellent exhibition and convention centre, and a great redevelopment of the waterfront.
What is wrong with that? It is building our economy. It is terrific and so do many hundreds and thousands of Territorians. What is your problem?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I do not know how many times I have to answer this. I believe this would be the fourth time I have actually indicated what the $100m is for. It starkly contrasts with not a cent ever being put down by the previous government for a convention centre – not a cent put down.
Let me explain one more time: $100m is to fund the convention centre and associated infrastructure works to do with the wider waterfront development. Okay? The convention and exhibition centre …
Mr Reed: A great way of doing business.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Listen! I am sorry if I sound a bit irritated, but this is the fourth time I have said it. I apologise for having to say it again and again. $100m capital to build the convention and exhibition centre and associated infrastructure to do with the wharf redevelopment.
We are now going to the private sector, and there is considerable interest from around the country, as well as locally, may I say - considerable interest to put in an expression of interest for this redevelopment. We will be having very rigorous assessments of what is put to us. We will be looking for the best for Territorians. What we are also looking for is an excellent exhibition and convention centre, and a great redevelopment of the waterfront.
What is wrong with that? It is building our economy. It is terrific and so do many hundreds and thousands of Territorians. What is your problem?
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016