Minister hits out at Michael Daley’s plan for inquiries into $1b projects
Transport Minister Andrew Constance has branded NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s plan for public inquiries into projects worth over $1 billion as ”harebrained”.
Transport Minister Andrew Constance has branded NSW Opposition Leader Michael Daley’s plan for public inquiries into projects worth over $1 billion as “silly and stupid”.
The new ALP leader revealed in The Daily Telegraph he would launch large-scale public inquiries into infrastructure like the light rail project before green-lighting them if elected to office next March.
But Mr Constance went on the attack today, describing the plan as a “ridiculous faux pas” that would hold up projects.
“This harebrained idea that somehow we need more public inquiries into billion dollar infrastructure projects is harebrained,” Mr Constance said.
“The saving grace for Michael Daley is no one knows who he is.”
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Mr Constance said Infrastructure NSW had already independently “assured” more than 600 government projects costed at over $10 million, and 36 of the projects were in excess of $1 billion.
“Under Michael Daley’s plan, that means there would be years of public inquiries into those 36 projects,” Mr Constance said. “We don’t need a state of inquiry, we need to stay the course.
“I would say this to the Labor Party, you’re not ready to govern if you’re going to start saying silly and stupid things like this.”
But Mr Daley rejected the criticisms of his policy and argued his plan for public inquiries would not create additional red tape. He said the idea would bring transparency to major projects and would end “secrecy and bungles”, such as the legal controversy engulfing the Sydney Light Rail project.
“If (there are) major transport or infrastructure projects over $1 billion all the details about the projects would be laid bare for the public to see,” he said.
“Options analysis, costs, engineering, all of those details. The public have a right to know and a right to some feedback.
“At the moment you’ve got a government bloated and egotistical off the back of $50 billion worth of asset sales. They think they don’t have to listen.”
“These public inquiries will make sure that the chance of litigation, of contracts being broken, of disputes with your partner, will be minimised.”
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