Editorial: Taxpayers deserve to know what they paid for Wellcamp

Taxpayers have again been treated with contempt, this time over the full cost of the Wellcamp quarantine hub, writes the editor.

Taxpayers and their right to know are being treated with contempt again by the Queensland Government, through its refusal to reveal the full cost of the Wellcamp quarantine facility. This entire affair has added another nail to the coffin of transparency.

Following a grilling by journalists about the cost and value of the Wellcamp venue yesterday, the Premier declared she would finally reveal the cost – if the Commonwealth also did so for its Pinkenba quarantine facility.

But Ms Palaszczuk had – until yesterday – been consistent in saying that the Wellcamp deal was commercial in confidence, and that while she would love to release it she was unable to.

Realising the misstep yesterday, the government then confirmed it had paid $48.8m in capital costs – but it is yet to reveal the total expenditure on the entire facility.

The $48.8m does not include the lease, contract with a transport company to ship occupants from Brisbane, or the health services provided at the facility by Aspen Medical. In its entirety, the deal between the government and Wagner Corporation could be north of $200m. Who knows?

This entire affair was another sorry example of the Premier trying to be a little too smart by half, and of trying to score political points against the Federal Government on the eve of what will be a hard-fought federal election.

The Premier should instead be working overtime to regain the trust of residents given the worsening integrity scandal creeping through the bureaucracy.

State Development Minister Steven Miles has repeatedly trumpeted the Wellcamp deal as great value for taxpayers, knowing Queenslanders could never judge for themselves the full cost of the facility.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the Wellcamp quarantine hub yesterday. Picture: Nev Madsen

But now taxpayers do know – it is $50 million straight up, plus millions and millions more in other costs. The Government says it is less than the cost of the hotel quarantine system. But so it should be! This is a single small facility.

Since day one the government has attempted to justify the Wellcamp decision by explaining it could be used in the event of the emergence of worrying new variants, or in future pandemics.

Yet, to our best knowledge, Queenslanders are simply leasing this facility from the Wagners. Does this lease agreement include a caveat the government can commandeer the facility if a new virus emerges years from now?

Wagner Corporation chairman John Wagner argued against the cost being made public, declaring it something “for ourselves and the government to discuss”.

But given questions about the government’s decision-making during the pandemic and, more worryingly, serious concerns over political interference in the public service, taxpayers have a right to know the cost of the facility.

The secrecy surrounding Wellcamp continues a theme of this Palaszczuk government when it comes to commercial arrangements using taxpayer cash.

Treasurer Cameron Dick is yet to reveal how much the state spent to maintain and add Qantas aviation jobs, or how much it costs to help Boeing base its unmanned aircraft facility at – surprise, surprise! – Wellcamp Airport.

The Commonwealth is meanwhile pushing ahead with its Pinkenba quarantine facility, and has promised to reveal its cost after its mid-year opening. Yep, you’re paying for that one too! What a shame the two governments couldn’t put their squabbling aside to agree to build just one of these soon-to-be white elephants.

THE QUEEN DESERVES BETTER

It is such a shame that in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee year, the focus has turned to the actions of her disgraceful and disgraced second son, the Duke of York.

Prince Andrew on Wednesday settled a sex assault case filed by Australian Virginia Giuffre for an undisclosed amount, and issued a humiliation statement expressing contrition, but not guilt.

It completes a remarkable fall from grace, and should see him banished from official royal events – not just for this year, but forever.

But if there is a saving grace, it is it may draw a line under Prince Andrew’s scandals, and allow the Queen, and the Commonwealth, to celebrate without this ugly distraction.

She deserves better.

Responsibility for election comment is taken by Chris Jones, corner of Mayne Rd & Campbell St, Bowen Hills, Qld 4006. Printed and published by NEWSQUEENSLAND (ACN 009 661 778). Contact details are available here