❓ Opposition Leader McGowan questions Premier Barnett about alleged $23 million loss on Perth Freight Link Stage 2 due to erratic decision-making. Premier deflects, announces a new Transport Minister and prioritises Roe 8, casting doubt on the $23 million figure.
AnsweredQoN 739Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
PERTH FREIGHT LINK — STAGE 2
739. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the statement by the
former Minister for Transport that more than $23 million has been lost on stage
2 of the Perth Freight Link.
(1) Is the former
minister correct in saying that due to the Premier's ''erratic
decision-making'', taxpayers will be paying more than $23 million not to
build a tunnel, after cabinet has approved it?
(2) If no to (1),
what is the correct position?
739. Mr M. McGOWAN to the Premier:
I refer to the statement by the
former Minister for Transport that more than $23 million has been lost on stage
2 of the Perth Freight Link.
(1) Is the former
minister correct in saying that due to the Premier's ''erratic
decision-making'', taxpayers will be paying more than $23 million not to
build a tunnel, after cabinet has approved it?
(2) If no to (1),
what is the correct position?
AnswerView source ↗
(1)–(2) We will have a new
Minister for Tourism tomorrow.
Dr
M.D. Nahan : Transport.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Sorry, transport! I hope we do not have a new tourism
minister!
Mr M. McGowan : You
probably will.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Do not say that we will; everybody wants to be tourism
minister!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will have a new Minister for Transport tomorrow and he has
two priority jobs. The first is the Forrestfield–airport rail project,
which is going as it should. The next will be to finalise the contracts for Roe
8 through to Stock Road, and a variation in the contract to allow that to
happen. They are his two priority projects and that is what he will get on
with. As to what happens after Roe 8 to Stock Road, obviously, there will be a connection
to the Fremantle port, whichever alignment that takes—most likely it
will be a tunnel. A lot of work needs to be done before the government is in a position
to sign a contract on that basis, but we intend to proceed with that.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Don't sign it before the election.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will be signing the contracts for Roe 8 through to Stock
Road well before the election and, hopefully, construction will be underway,
because the people south of the river want to see that project, and it will be
underway. With respect to the talk about $23 million and the like, I have no
evidence of any such figure at all, but there is still a significant amount of
work to be done before we will be in a position to sign a contract for what
follows the initial Roe 8–Stock Road project.
Minister for Tourism tomorrow.
Dr
M.D. Nahan : Transport.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Sorry, transport! I hope we do not have a new tourism
minister!
Mr M. McGowan : You
probably will.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : Do not say that we will; everybody wants to be tourism
minister!
Several members interjected.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will have a new Minister for Transport tomorrow and he has
two priority jobs. The first is the Forrestfield–airport rail project,
which is going as it should. The next will be to finalise the contracts for Roe
8 through to Stock Road, and a variation in the contract to allow that to
happen. They are his two priority projects and that is what he will get on
with. As to what happens after Roe 8 to Stock Road, obviously, there will be a connection
to the Fremantle port, whichever alignment that takes—most likely it
will be a tunnel. A lot of work needs to be done before the government is in a position
to sign a contract on that basis, but we intend to proceed with that.
Mrs
M.H. Roberts : Don't sign it before the election.
Mr
C.J. BARNETT : We will be signing the contracts for Roe 8 through to Stock
Road well before the election and, hopefully, construction will be underway,
because the people south of the river want to see that project, and it will be
underway. With respect to the talk about $23 million and the like, I have no
evidence of any such figure at all, but there is still a significant amount of
work to be done before we will be in a position to sign a contract for what
follows the initial Roe 8–Stock Road project.
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