Premier and deputy at odds over ANZ and Allianz stadium rebuilds
DEPUTY Premier John Barilaro has declared the government still has to “make the final decision” on stadiums in a Question Time spray that was at odds with remarks by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
NSW
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DEPUTY Premier John Barilaro has declared the government still has to “make the final decision” on stadiums in a Question Time spray that was at odds with remarks by Premier Gladys Berejiklian.
Mr Barilaro made the remarks under questioning from the Opposition, saying there were still more conversations in government to be had in relation to stadiums.
When Premier Berejiklian was asked repeatedly in the past week about whether she would change her position on stadiums she has replied that the government’s policy is to tear down and rebuild Allianz stadium and ANZ.
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Mr Barilaro told parliament: “to the question the opposition leader has asked — will there be more conversations in government in relations to stadiums? Of course there is.”
He went on: “It’s got to come back to ERC (expenditure review committee) and I’m a member of ERC.
“We still have to make the final decision once we get all the information and all the evidence and the business case.”
Technically it is correct that the policy does need to go through the expenditure review committee. However the uncertainty with with Mr Barilaro framed his response frustrated government figures who believe in the importance of selling the stadiums policy.
Labor seized on the remarks from Mr Barilaro, with Opposition Leader Luke Foley stating: “When is the Premier going to come clean and tell the public that she will capitulate on her stadiums policy, just as she has capitulated on so many other policies?”
It comes a day after Mr Foley was caught out on radio admitting he backed investment in ANZ stadium.
He as attempted to clarify the remarks today.