Mr BURKE - 2005-02-09
It has been reported that Henry Walker Eltin’s financial interest as a partner in the waterfront development is in the order of $80m. Financial close is supposed to be only weeks away, and Territorians have still not been told the extent of their financial interest and contribution in this project. Will you tell us today, before this project unravels further, what Territorians are going to pay for this project?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I pick up on the use of the word ‘unravel’ and make it very clear that this project is not unravelled. The only ones talking about it unravelled - because they simply do not support the waterfront - is the Country Liberal Party, who we know would scrap it. Simply, they would scrap the waterfront project. They do not want to build a convention and exhibition centre. They do not want to build the associated infrastructure for people in Darwin to enjoy, such as safe swimming areas, a wave pool, a sea wall and a lock.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carter: Get it right.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms MARTIN: It has been made very clear, and certainly, on the record here …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Cease for a moment, Chief Minister. Members of the opposition, you know constant interjections that interrupt someone speaking are not acceptable. Member for Port Darwin, you have been consistent in that, so would you cease, and the other two members beside you.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, you would expect the member for Port Darwin to support this project. It is very disappointing ...
Ms Carter: We want it done right.
Ms MARTIN: … extremely disappointing that she does not support this project.
Ms CARTER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is being misleading there. I do support the project; however, I want it done correctly.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure, Chief Minister, you will clarify the statement you have just made.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in the last session of parliament, the Opposition Leader said he would scrap it. How much clearer can you be about a project? He said he would scrap this waterfront project.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Okay, scrap the waterfront project. He did then talk about replacing it with his own, which does not include a convention centre, nor any exciting aspects. It has lots of paving, car parks and bitumen - very exciting.
Specifically, as this House clearly knows, the government put $100m on the table 18 months ago as a commitment towards a project which was then valued at $600m. We expected a private sector input of $500m, and the opposition has rejected private input into this project. Very clearly, we have seen that private input grow to around $800m, and they are rejecting it - absolutely. Those who looked at the model at Casuarina were totally astounded at that; that this all should be built by taxpayers’ dollars. However, that is what the Country Liberal Party wants, therefore …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is what you are arguing, and that is what …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is quite extraordinary.
To answer the question specifically, the bid document allowed for the consortia proposed bids above or below that $100m, so it was not a ceiling or a floor. Importantly, submissions were made under a competitive bid environment, which is what we wanted. We wanted to get the best deal for Territorians, the best outcome for Territorians, and that money will be an important assessment in that criteria. We now have a project valued at $1bn and, as I have said a number of times, we will, when it is appropriate financially – and this is the way these projects are done – we will be accountable for every dollar and give you all the details once we have reached financial close.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, order!
Ms MARTIN: We have put $100m on the table. We have seen a project that we first thought would be about $600m grow to $1bn. It is an exciting project for our future. It means opportunities, jobs, business opportunities and, with the convention/exhibition centre, we are going to deliver, something the CLP under the then Chief Minister, now Opposition Leader - yesterday’s man - could not.
Members interjecting.
Mr Baldwin: We are not giving away the Territory’s heritage, either.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly! I remind you that you are also on a warning. Do stop your constant interjections.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I pick up on the use of the word ‘unravel’ and make it very clear that this project is not unravelled. The only ones talking about it unravelled - because they simply do not support the waterfront - is the Country Liberal Party, who we know would scrap it. Simply, they would scrap the waterfront project. They do not want to build a convention and exhibition centre. They do not want to build the associated infrastructure for people in Darwin to enjoy, such as safe swimming areas, a wave pool, a sea wall and a lock.
Members interjecting.
Ms Carter: Get it right.
Madam SPEAKER: Order! Member for Port Darwin!
Ms MARTIN: It has been made very clear, and certainly, on the record here …
Members interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Cease for a moment, Chief Minister. Members of the opposition, you know constant interjections that interrupt someone speaking are not acceptable. Member for Port Darwin, you have been consistent in that, so would you cease, and the other two members beside you.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, you would expect the member for Port Darwin to support this project. It is very disappointing ...
Ms Carter: We want it done right.
Ms MARTIN: … extremely disappointing that she does not support this project.
Ms CARTER: A point of order, Madam Speaker! The Chief Minister is being misleading there. I do support the project; however, I want it done correctly.
Madam SPEAKER: I am sure, Chief Minister, you will clarify the statement you have just made.
Ms MARTIN: Madam Speaker, in the last session of parliament, the Opposition Leader said he would scrap it. How much clearer can you be about a project? He said he would scrap this waterfront project.
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: Okay, scrap the waterfront project. He did then talk about replacing it with his own, which does not include a convention centre, nor any exciting aspects. It has lots of paving, car parks and bitumen - very exciting.
Specifically, as this House clearly knows, the government put $100m on the table 18 months ago as a commitment towards a project which was then valued at $600m. We expected a private sector input of $500m, and the opposition has rejected private input into this project. Very clearly, we have seen that private input grow to around $800m, and they are rejecting it - absolutely. Those who looked at the model at Casuarina were totally astounded at that; that this all should be built by taxpayers’ dollars. However, that is what the Country Liberal Party wants, therefore …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: That is what you are arguing, and that is what …
Members interjecting.
Ms MARTIN: It is quite extraordinary.
To answer the question specifically, the bid document allowed for the consortia proposed bids above or below that $100m, so it was not a ceiling or a floor. Importantly, submissions were made under a competitive bid environment, which is what we wanted. We wanted to get the best deal for Territorians, the best outcome for Territorians, and that money will be an important assessment in that criteria. We now have a project valued at $1bn and, as I have said a number of times, we will, when it is appropriate financially – and this is the way these projects are done – we will be accountable for every dollar and give you all the details once we have reached financial close.
Mr Baldwin interjecting.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly, order!
Ms MARTIN: We have put $100m on the table. We have seen a project that we first thought would be about $600m grow to $1bn. It is an exciting project for our future. It means opportunities, jobs, business opportunities and, with the convention/exhibition centre, we are going to deliver, something the CLP under the then Chief Minister, now Opposition Leader - yesterday’s man - could not.
Members interjecting.
Mr Baldwin: We are not giving away the Territory’s heritage, either.
Madam SPEAKER: Member for Daly! I remind you that you are also on a warning. Do stop your constant interjections.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016