Secret Newport Quays risk report
Jan 27, 2012
Vickie Chapman MP
Shadow Minister for Transport & Infrastructure
Shadow Minister for Status of Women
Secret Newport Quays risk report
Plans to axe the Newport Quays development may have been discussed by State Cabinet as early as June 2010, despite a decision to cancel the controversial project only being announced by Premier Weatherill four months ago.
A report on the development dated 3 June 2010 and titled “Optimum Decision Making Framework and Precinct Level Multi Criteria Analysis”, was provided to Urban Development Minister Patrick Conlon by the Land Management Corporation.
Details published in the LMC’s annual report identify the report was a risk-based review of “land, property and infrastructure at Port Adelaide”.
The Labor Government is refusing to release the document under Freedom of Information to Liberal Opposition frontbencher Vickie Chapman on the grounds it was used by Cabinet.
Ms Chapman is now pursuing the release of the report with South Australian Ombudsman Richard Bingham.
“The public has every right to know when the Labor Government started thinking about dumping this project and exposing the State to massive financial penalties,” Ms Chapman said.
“We have ended up in a position where at the very least we are going to pay $5.9 million to the Government’s partner in the project and there is a real chance we will pay a lot more.
“This project involves every senior member of the Labor Government, from the former Treasurer and Member for Port Adelaide, Kevin Foley, to Premier Weatherill.”
The State Government’s partner in the project has launched legal action in the Supreme Court and is seeking damages for Premier Weatherill’s decision to cancel the development.