Wilkie Wonka‘s $60 million golden ticket for Tassie treats

Since the start of the year Andrew Wilkie has announced 18 projects worth a whopping $60,085,000, raising questions of a “special relationship” between him and the Federal Government. SEE WHERE THE MONEY’S GOING

Tasmanian Transport Museum president Rod Prince at the announcement of $100,000 in Federal Government funding for the museum. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

SINCE the start of the year independent Tasmanian MP Andrew Wilkie has announced 18 projects worth a whopping $60,085,000 in Federal Government dollars, raising questions of a “special relationship” between him and the Federal Government.

The member for Clark’s latest announcement is a $100,000 boost for the Tasmanian Transport Museum in Glenorchy.

Federal Labor MP for Lyons Brian Mitchell said there appeared to be a close bond formed between Mr Wilkie and the Federal Government.

“There seems to be a special relationship between Mr Wilkie and the Government. It’s very strange why it’s not a Liberal senator making these big funding announcements,” he said.

Mr Mitchell questioned the political game-playing in the lead up to the federal election.

“Given there are Coalition senators here, it’s unusual the Government appears happy to be giving Wilkie a free kick on this.

“I think it would raise eyebrows to voters about how close they [Mr Wilkie and the Government] appear to be.”

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Andrew Wilkie.

But Mr Wilkie said it was appropriate he announced his government proposals.

“It was reasonable for me to announce them because I’m the local member and it was me who took the proposals to the Government,” he said. “I asked to announce them and the Government agreed, with the exception of the social housing rescue package which was better left for the Government to announce because of its size and significance.”

Mr Wilkie on Monday said the Transport Museum grant would allow for much-needed improvements to the museum’s historic M class steam engine as well as the DP15 rail motor and AAL carriage.

“Not only will this work enhance the museum’s historic collection, it will also significantly bolster the case for accreditation to extend heritage rail operations from the present 450m siding to accessing the rail corridor proper.”

Mr Wilkie also announced on Monday $90,000 in Federal Government funding for Dowsing Point’s Defence and Veterans’ Workshop.

The funding will allow the workshop to employ a specialist role facilitator for three years. The not-for-profit workshop provides a supportive environment for men and women who are serving or have served in the Australian Defence Force.

Monday’s announcements add to the 16 other Federal Government funding promises revealed by Mr Wilkie so far this year.

A Federal Government spokesman said the projects were “things Tasmania’s Liberal Senate team had championed over a long period”.

“Only because the budget is coming back into surplus are we able to invest in this game-changing infrastructure for local groups along with the Hobart City Deal which will ensure more affordable housing, bust congestion and deliver more jobs,” a spokesman said.

Mr Wilkie and his fellow crossbenchers became more powerful late last year when the Morrison Government lost its majority in the House of Representatives.

In a deal with former prime minister Julia Gillard’s minority government Mr Wilkie extracted $340 million in federal funds for the Royal Hobart Hospital.

Mr Wilkie walked away from that deal after a Labor backflip on poker machine reform and has maintained a “no deals” policy ever since.

The $60 million treasure chest

■ Social housing package to assist with the current housing crisis in Tasmania — $30m

■ Northern Suburbs Junior Football Hub to fill the gap in soccer facilities in the disadvantaged northern suburbs of Hobart. A Football Federation Tasmania project. Land provided by Glenorchy City Council — $12.8m

■ Redevelopment of the Glenorchy YMCA centre — $6m

■ Goodwood and Montrose Bay regional playgrounds. Glenorchy City Council projects co-funded by the council. $2m Commonwealth contribution

■ Restoration works at St George’s Anglican Church in Battery Point — $1.6m

■ South Hobart Football Club ground works and facilities — $1m

■ Glenorchy Knights Football Club clubroom development — $1m

■ Wellington Cricket Club Glenorchy upgrade — $1m

■ Hobart City Council bicycle infrastructure projects, including development of a bicycle lane on Huon Road en route to Mount Wellington — $850,000

■ Improvements at the North Hobart Football Club — $830,000

■ Fern Tree Park Visitor Node. A Hobart City Council tourism project co-funded by the council, with a $800,000 Commonwealth contribution

■ North Hobart Cricket Club upgrade — $405,000

■ Taroona Football Club upgrade co-funded by the State Government and Kingborough Council, with a $350,000 Commonwealth contribution

■ Salamanca Arts Centre outdoor public arts space — $200,000

■ From the Shadows convict women and children heritage art installation -$100,000

■ Tasmanian Transport Museum. Funding for work on a number of exhibits — $100,000

■ Defence Veterans’ Workshop. A men’s shed for ADF veterans. Funding to continue employment of a co-ordinator two days a week for three years — Total $90,000

■ Hobart Southern City BMX Club lighting — $60,000