Page 2784 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 23 June 2009
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
While we are on the subject of lack of planning and fiscal responsibility, the expenditure on the world mountain bike championship to date is, or will be, around $2.986 million. Originally it was supposed to be around $900,000. The minister has assured the committee that the $2.986 million that will ultimately have been spent over three consecutive budgets on the world mountain bike championship will be money well spent and a good investment for Canberra. However, he did make a point of not speculating on the expected return from the event. I will also be very interested to see the report providing a reconciled budget for the event and the ultimate benefits. I note that the minister was quick to say that he was happy that due diligence was followed during his time as minister, but qualified what happened before by saying that it was before his time. I present the following quotes from Hansard of 27 May 2009:
THE CHAIR: You said that it was done properly since you became minister. What about before? Was due diligence done?
Mr Barr: I am just not in a position to comment prior—
THE CHAIR: But you must be aware of what was done?
Mr Barr: Certainly the background papers I have read, I can say, yes, I am comfortable with the cabinet decision, but I was not permanently part of that cabinet that took the decision. But the background material, that I have seen, yes, I am comfortable. Had I been sitting in the cabinet at that time, I would have supported the submission at the time.
Mr Barr: You couldn’t get anything more unequivocal than that, could you?
MR DOSZPOT: The minister would not speculate on the expected return on the event. This is an incredible and very rare stance for this minister—the minister for spin and media opportunities. However, he has stated—and I quote once again from Hansard:
… yes, I am comfortable with the cabinet decision …
Well, minister, businesses in Canberra are doing it tough. You are comfortable with a cabinet decision that has seen total funding for this event blow out to almost $3 million.
Mr Barr: I will take it as a huge compliment that you’ve noticed how much media I get.
MR DOSZPOT: Madam Assistant Speaker, I am sure the minister does not want to hear this, but can I get a little bit of attention here?
MADAM ASSISTANT SPEAKER (Ms Burch): Do you have a point of order, Mr Doszpot?
MR DOSZPOT: I have. I would appreciate a little bit of—
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .