Page 4230 - Week 11 - Thursday, 17 Sept 2009
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So we are spending more and getting less. Where have I heard that before in regard to this government? It says:
This … Fairbairn commitment is accompanied by a smaller ESA HQ presence at that site, as several functions are to be located at either Fyshwick or Hume.
This is the problem. This government cannot come to a decision and this government cannot actually make things work when it comes to capital works. Paragraph 5.32 says:
Audit found evidence available in the ESA in 2005 supporting a cheaper option at Hume.
ESA actually wanted a cheaper option and they wanted it at Hume. The paragraph continues:
Evidence gathered in more recent times also confirms the 2005 consultant advice that, in addition to other potential operating problems, the Fairbairn HQ option was more expensive than that for Hume. Indeed, some Fairbairn HQ functions are now being moved to Hume because the Hume site is cheaper, and more suitable to some of the ESA operational needs.
There you have it: ESA had a different opinion. But what happened? They got rolled by the minister and when they tried to get out of it—we go to paragraph 5.40—the ACT government stepped in again:
The ACT Government—
that would be ministers; that would be five of them—
confirmed the Fairbairn site for the relocation of the ESA HQ in November 2007.
(Time expired.)
MR SESELJA (Molonglo—Leader of the Opposition) (4.54): I am pleased that Mr Corbell is still in the chamber because I would be happy to give him the opportunity to speak again to clarify some issues arising from question time on this issue of the Cotter Dam blow-out. I want to touch on that for a second.
In response to Mr Corbell’s additional information, I have reviewed the estimates Hansard of 18 May this year. I have not had the opportunity to review Hansard for this afternoon as to exactly what Mr Corbell said but he seemed to be suggesting that the assertions as part of my question were incorrect. I would like to read my question from yesterday:
… Actew Corporation’s managing director told the estimates committee on 18 May … that the cost of Cotter Dam could be 30 per cent higher than the 2008 estimate of $145 million. That would take it to $188 million. He said in the Canberra Times on 30 May 2009 that the cost would be higher by between
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