Page 1908 - Week 09 - Thursday, 19 October 1989
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
recommendations before making a decision. However, this does not mean that the authority must directly participate in the process which leads to the short-listing of submissions for the site. The short-listing process relates principally to financial and design criteria.
I must emphasise that there is nothing to limit the nature and extent of the authority's inquiry processes, and there would be nothing to prevent the authority reviewing some of these essential preliminary steps. The initial object of the exercise is to select a consortium which offers the best possible design solution and the highest premium for the site. The process will then address the overriding issue of probity and fitness. I repeat: no decision can be taken until the Government has before it the recommendations of the authority on the probity and fitness of developers and operators to be involved in the project and hold a casino licence.
The Government considers that it would be a waste of resources to require a formal investigation of every applicant and developer prior to the short-listing stage. To put it simply, it would be irrelevant and expensive to investigate an operator and developer who may be ejected from the process on financial or design grounds. Investigations only become necessary when they reach the financial and design short list. The ACT government solicitor has advised that this process is consistent with the provisions of the Casino Control Act 1988.
I now wish to outline the details of the process leading up to the short-listing stage and the role of the Casino Surveillance Authority. The Government has agreed that the selection process involve three stages as follows. The first is the expression of interest stage, open to all interested parties. I table the expression of interest document for the information of members. This will involve the submission of financial and development capacity and experience, nomination of all key personnel to be involved with the project and nomination of proposed developer and casino licensee.
Assessment of first stage submissions is being undertaken by officers of the major projects group according to predetermined selection criteria set out in the expression of interest document. This activity is being supervised by a panel comprising an independent expert from outside the public service from the commercial financial sector. He is Mr Peter Holland, senior partner of Jebb Associates. Others include the secretary to the Chief Minister's Department and the general manager of the major projects group. I am advised that this panel is consulting with the under treasurer and chief law officer as it undertakes its work.
The second is the design and financial assessment stage. This stage is restricted to those who satisfy the stage I selection criteria and will involve the submission and
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .