LNP and Greens join forces over Gabba redevelopment secrecy
The Greens and Coalition have joined forces to condemn the Albanese and Queensland government for keeping Gabba redevelopment plans secret.
QLD Politics
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In a case of strange bed fellows, the Greens and Coalition joined forces to condemn the Albanese Government for keeping secret the details of its negotiations with Queensland over the Gabba Stadium Olympic redevelopment.
Talks have strained between the state and federal government over the stadium‘s proposed revamp for the 2032 Olympic Games, with the Commonwealth raising questions over the plans.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King recently used a public interest immunity to block an order from the Senate to release of correspondence, emails, briefings and meeting minutes between the her and Premier’s office.
Queensland Greens Senator Penny Allman-Payne gained the Coalition’s support on Thursday in a motion in the Senate condemning the government for refusing to release the information.
She said it was in the public interest to know what was happening in the major project and how it would impact surrounding infrastructure and it was clear the state and federal government’s were not “on the same page”.
“The federal government says it won‘t release critical information about the Gabba redevelopment because it’s worried about harming its relationship with the state government,” Senator Allman-Payne said.
“That‘s a bit rich … The federal government isn’t even convinced that the Games require an additional stadium or that the Gabba needs to be rebuilt.”
She said Labor won an election promising to end secrecy, but accused them of abandoning the pledge.
“While the government contrives reasons to avoid scrutiny and transparency, East Brisbane families face the prospect of losing a school and a park because of a destructive multi-billion dollar mistake,” she said.
Ms King’s office was contact for comment but had not responded prior to deadline.
Earlier this month she said was committed to working collaboratively with all levels of government and consulting with the community on Games related infrastructure.
“Production of these documents would substantially impair or prejudice negotiations with the Queensland Government in relation to this particular project, and would adversely affect development of future infrastructure funding agreements,” she said in response to the order to produce documents.
Senate estimates hearings have also been told that the State Government had provided the Commonwealth a “list of projects” it was seeking agreement on, but there had been no outcomes yet.
The motion again called for the government to comply with the order by noon on November 29.
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