Ms CARNEY - 2005-08-18
As you are aware, the Capital Finance Division of ABN AMRO Morgan has been acquired by the company Babcock & Brown. The Capital Finance Division, as you know, is the group that was responsible for organising the money to allow the waterfront development to proceed. This raises a number of questions surrounding the project, including the probability of substantial delays to the project. Can you explain to the House and, in turn all Territorians, what will happen to the waterfront project as a result of this shake-up?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I find it extraordinarily disappointing that the Country Liberal Party still cannot bring themselves to accept what a great project this is. They would tear it down …
Dr Lim: We are asking you to explain.
Mrs Miller: Just explain!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STIRLING: They would tear it down at the first opportunity. I guess the position …
Mr Mills: Not true!
Dr Lim: We are asking for assurance.
Mr STIRLING: I guess the position the CLP have adopted in relation to this very major project for the Northern Territory - a project that will dramatically transform the face of Darwin, not just provide employment incomes for the people working on it for the next 10 years, but provide a wonderful convention centre for upwards of 1500 delegates. We well know the squeeze we have in the Northern Territory in trying to accommodate that many delegates. Make no mistake, they want it scrapped, and they will seize on anything to …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Acting Chief Minister and Treasurer knows full well that the CLP’s position is not to scrap the waterfront proposal. He has an obligation to this parliament to be honest. We ask that he is honest when he is representing my party’s position.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr STIRLING: It is a funny way of showing support …
Ms Carney: It is a question. Is it going to happen?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition!
Mr STIRLING: … that they seize on any opportunity …
Ms Carney: Answer it!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr STIRLING: … try to pull the rug out from under this great project. As I said, it stands in absolute stark contrast to the lack of information that this side of parliament got during the years of getting the railway there, and the continued and consistent support that this side, when we were in opposition, gave to that project, notwithstanding the difficulties that project had along the way.
Babcock & Brown are joint venturers with ABN AMRO on this project, and staffing arrangements between these companies are internal matters for those particular companies; they are nothing to do with this government. I can give this assurance: they will have absolutely no impact at all on the waterfront project; it is on track and on time, and ABN AMRO have said so publicly today. They also say it will have no effect on cost or time, and they remain absolutely 100% committed to the project - which is a bit more than I can say about the opposition.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the Leader of the Opposition for her question. I find it extraordinarily disappointing that the Country Liberal Party still cannot bring themselves to accept what a great project this is. They would tear it down …
Dr Lim: We are asking you to explain.
Mrs Miller: Just explain!
Madam SPEAKER: Order!
Mr STIRLING: They would tear it down at the first opportunity. I guess the position …
Mr Mills: Not true!
Dr Lim: We are asking for assurance.
Mr STIRLING: I guess the position the CLP have adopted in relation to this very major project for the Northern Territory - a project that will dramatically transform the face of Darwin, not just provide employment incomes for the people working on it for the next 10 years, but provide a wonderful convention centre for upwards of 1500 delegates. We well know the squeeze we have in the Northern Territory in trying to accommodate that many delegates. Make no mistake, they want it scrapped, and they will seize on anything to …
Ms CARNEY: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Acting Chief Minister and Treasurer knows full well that the CLP’s position is not to scrap the waterfront proposal. He has an obligation to this parliament to be honest. We ask that he is honest when he is representing my party’s position.
Madam SPEAKER: There is no point of order.
Mr STIRLING: It is a funny way of showing support …
Ms Carney: It is a question. Is it going to happen?
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Leader of the Opposition!
Mr STIRLING: … that they seize on any opportunity …
Ms Carney: Answer it!
Madam SPEAKER: Leader of the Opposition!
Mr STIRLING: … try to pull the rug out from under this great project. As I said, it stands in absolute stark contrast to the lack of information that this side of parliament got during the years of getting the railway there, and the continued and consistent support that this side, when we were in opposition, gave to that project, notwithstanding the difficulties that project had along the way.
Babcock & Brown are joint venturers with ABN AMRO on this project, and staffing arrangements between these companies are internal matters for those particular companies; they are nothing to do with this government. I can give this assurance: they will have absolutely no impact at all on the waterfront project; it is on track and on time, and ABN AMRO have said so publicly today. They also say it will have no effect on cost or time, and they remain absolutely 100% committed to the project - which is a bit more than I can say about the opposition.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016