Gerry Wood questions how the government can afford Turf Club grandstand

Independent Member for Nelson Gerry Wood has said the awarding of a contract to build the Darwin Turf Club grandstand to a compnay run by the club’s chairman Ben Dixon needs to be investigated by the auditor-general.

The new three-level stand with private corporate boxes will be built by the Darwin Turf Club. Picture: Supplied

CONCERNS have been raised about where the indebted NT Government will find $12 million to splash on a new Darwin Turf Club grandstand.

Independent Member for Nelson Gerry Wood said he thought the spending decision was “totally inappropriate” given the terrible state of the Territory’s budget debt, which is projected to hit $8 billion by 2022-23.

“The budget is in dire straights and this project isn’t a priority,” he said.

Independent Member for Nelson Gerry Wood has called for an independent audit into the Darwin Turf Club grandstand tender decision. Picture: Justin Kennedy

“It could easily have waited a few years and it’s not even clear about where the government will get this money from.

“I couldn’t see anything of this mentioned in the budget papers.

“I would think that a $12 million grant for someone would be highlighted but it doesn’t appear to be there.”

However Treasurer Nicole Manison has insisted that the capital grant will come out of the 2018/19 budget.

A tender for the $12 million grandstand was awarded to a company called Jaytex Constructions run by the Turf Club chairman Brett Dixon. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

Opposition Leader Gary Higgins said he was also concerned about the funding.

“Despite the government’s claims, there appears to be no provision for this in the current budget,” he said.

Mr Wood also said the decision to award the project tender to a company run by the Darwin Turf Club’s chairman Brett Dixon needed to be examined by the auditor-general.

“It was also a bit strange that the tender was released only two weeks after Paul Kirby announced the project on July 5,” he said.

“It suggests the tender documents had already been substantially drawn up before the announcement was made.

NT News tablet art

CLICK here to see full details of offer

“There’s been so much discussion on whether everything has been done properly.

“I think it’s appropriate the Auditor General be asked by the Chief Minister to come and clear the air.”

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said he has asked for advice from the independent probity auditor who reported on the tender processes of the grandstand.

“We are more than happy for everything to be checked,” he said.