Labor’s Stephen Mullighan vows to release details of Brompton Gasworks sale that thwarted the Adelaide Crows

The Opposition says it has the inside story on a Victorian developer toppling the Adelaide Crows’ bid for a new HQ at the Brompton Gasworks.

Labor is vowing to release details of the deal to sideline the Adelaide Crows for a Victorian developer in the Brompton Gasworks’ sale.

Treasury spokesman Stephen Mullighan said, if victorious at the March 19 state election, a Labor government would reveal key aspects of the deal, including the sale price and full extent of local job creation.

Mr Mullighan condemned Treasurer Rob Lucas for keeping secret key aspects of the deal, also including the requirements for remediation of the contaminated 5.81ha site, in Adelaide’s inner west.

Mr Lucas on Thursday announced Melbourne-based developer MAB Corporation had been selected in a $459m deal for a 11,500sq m project, including housing for 2200 people, a 120-room hotel and a piazza surrounded by cafes, restaurants and bars.

SA Shadow Treasurer Stephen Mullighan speaks to the media as Leader of the Opposition Peter Malinauskas looks on. Picture: David Mariuz

Artist Impressions of the Adelaide Crows proposed headquarters at the Brompton Gasworks site.

This torpedoed the Adelaide Crows’ plan to relocate its headquarters from West Lakes, forcing the club to pursue a second option of Thebarton Oval.

“How can the community form any view about whether the Liberal government has made a proper decision about this when the Treasurer refuses to reveal key details about the deal?” Mr Mullighan said.

“Once again, Rob Lucas has committed to a deal with a private company and refusing to release the details on what it means for taxpayers – it’s simply not good enough.”

Mr Mullighan listed other deals for which he also accused Mr Lucas of undue secrecy, including train and tram contracts, Korda Mentha SA Health administration and Lot Fourteen rental subsidies.

Artist Impressions of the Adelaide Crows proposed headquarters at the Brompton Gasworks site.

State land agency Renewal SA, which reports to Mr Lucas, is now exclusively negotiating with MAB “with a view to entering into a development agreement in the coming months”, according to Mr Lucas’s announcement.

This would present a significant challenge to complete before the government on February 19 entered caretaker mode ahead of the March 19 state election, opening the prospect of Labor revealing details during the negotiation process if it won office.

Mr Lucas has said the MAB plan represented an overall $66.5m reduction in overall government expenditure, including economic development and “avoided cost” for taxpayers.

Mr Mullighan said this suggested the budget benefit was prioritised ahead of the community or housing priorities.

Mr Lucas also said the MAB deal was a better financial deal and provided more long-term jobs growth than the Crows proposal.

“The MAB proposal delivers an intergenerational solution for the site, remediating it for future generations while also reducing the state government’s liability and, therefore, the risk to taxpayers,” Mr Lucas said when announcing the deal.

“The project will also deliver long-term benefits to the state, both through the construction jobs, trades and local companies supported over the 10-year development cycle and the 730-plus ongoing jobs once completed.”

Originally published as Labor’s Stephen Mullighan vows to release details of Brompton Gasworks sale that thwarted the Adelaide Crows