Labor’s Josh Willie says sale of Treasury building would just be a “financial sugar hit’

There have been mixed reactions to the sale of the Treasury building in Hobart. Latest.

In the Tasmanian Treasury building in Hobar.11/09/2019 photography Peter Mathew

The state government has been accused of privatising the Treasury Building, after the historic site was put on the market, meanwhile industry stakeholders have welcomed the announcement, likening the tourism potential of the sale to that of the Tasman Hotel.

Treasurer Guy Barnett confirmed the government will seek expressions of interest in the building, because it was “under-utilised”.

Greens MLC Cassy O’Connor challenged Treasurer Guy Barnett’s claim the sale would return the building to the people.

“This building belongs to the people of Tasmania, yet there’s been no consultation, no communication, no respect shown to the Tasmanian people,” Ms O’Connor said.

“We’re being gaslit here … You don’t return something to people by privatising it and making them pay for the privilege of enjoying the space.”

One of the ornate ceilings in the Tasmanian Treasury building in Hobart. photography Peter Mathew

Ms O’Connor said the building, which is heritage listed, had a significant place in Tasmanian history.

“The risk here is that the Tasmanian people lose something that belongs to them and has belonged to them ever since it was built there,” she said.

Treasurer Guy Barnett denied the sale was to prop up the state budget.

“This is designed to ensure we can grow the economy,” he said.

The current use of the building is for office space for treasury staff.

Mr Barnett said there were ways to ensure members of the public were not locked out.

“There’s a whole lot of opportunities for government to provide terms and conditions with respect to any expressions of interest,” he said.

“Currently it’s not fit for purpose … we think it can absolutely be delivered in terms of a better use so members of the public can enjoy the history and heritage.

“There’s so many opportunities to allow for businesses, investors to invest in that building where the public can then access that history and heritage.”

Not everyone was sceptical about the sale, two industry bodies have supported the idea.

“With its heritage character and prime location, this site could become a landmark development, similar to the impact The Tasman hotel has had,” Tasmanian Hospitality Association president Ben Carpenter said.

“The Treasury Building offers a similar opportunity to showcase Tasmania’s rich heritage while supporting hospitality and tourism growth.”

Tourism Industry Council Tasmania CEO Amy Hills also compared the potential of the treasury building to Parliament Square.

“This is something the TICT has encouraged for some time, however this time around we would call for clear time frames to be put in place to give potential developers clarity and certainty,” Ms Hills said.

The government began an Expressions of Interest process in 2018 but said it decided to close it during the Covid pandemic.

‘Fire sale’: Labor hits plan to sell historic Treasury building

Earlier: Labor says putting the historic Treasury building on the market would be a “fire sale” to deliver a “financial sugar hit”.

Labor’s treasury spokesman Josh Willie said on Saturday the sale was only going ahead because of a “rapidly deteriorating budget”.

“Selling off valuable government assets potentially has longer-term implications for the budget,” he said.

“If they achieve a fair value sale, any proceeds will be expended on capital costs and other relocation costs, with millions in ongoing leasing costs to house staff in the future still to pay.

“Under the Liberals, Tasmania has been plunged into record debt and deficit, and all a fire-sale of our assets will provide is a short-term sugar hit.”

Murry St entrance. Tour of the Hobart Treasury Buildings. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

Mr Willie said the government was” lurching from financial crisis to crisis”.

“The symbolism of a government considering selling their Treasury building to prop up their busted budget is a plot line straight out of a satirical comedy,” he said. .

“After the monumental stuff-up of the Spirits (of Tasmania), this fire-sale shows just how bad the Liberals are going.

“It’s clear Tasmanians can’t trust them with the purse-strings anymore.”

It is believed about 200 people currently work in the Treasury building.

Originally published as Labor’s Josh Willie says sale of Treasury building would just be a “financial sugar hit’