Andrews Government hires financial adviser John Wylie to dump East West Link

UPDATE: THE Andrews Government has appointed a top financial adviser and lawyer to try to cut a deal to extricate it from the East West Link contract.

Aftermath of fires around Moyston in North West Victoria.Premier Daniel Andrews talking at press conference about the recent fires around Moyston .Picture:Ian Currie

FINANCIAL adviser John Wylie and lawyer Leon Zwier have been appointed by the Andrews Government to try to cut a deal to extricate it from the East West Link contract.

After inquiries by the Herald Sun, the Treasurer Tim Pallas released this statement a short time ago:

“The Department of Premier and Cabinet is leading negotiations with members of the East West Link Partnership.

“At the Government’s request, leading financial adviser John Wylie and leading commercial litigator Leon Zwier are advising the Government during the course of these negotiations.

SECRET PAPERS REVEAL DETAILS OF $6.8B EAST WEST LINK

“Mr Wylie and Mr Zwier have agreed to work towards a fair and appropriate outcome for Victorian taxpayers in the circumstances where the Government has decided that the project will not proceed.

“These discussions are commercial-in-confidence. The nature, timing and make-up of the meetings are confidential to all parties.

“At the appropriate time, the Government – subject to the views of consortium members – will release the scope of the East West Link agreement.”

More to come.