Page 3364 - Week 08 - Wednesday, 17 August 2011
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the government’s first priority is, of course, the development of office accommodation in Gungahlin, and we will be focusing on that priority. But we also recognise the need for longer-term solutions to accommodation issues and we will be working through those. But I have given, as I have indicated, the property sector the opportunity to deliver the project for the people of the ACT at a price better than what our consultants have advised is possible through government delivery.
MR HARGREAVES: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Mr Hargreaves.
MR HARGREAVES: Thanks very much. My question to the minister is: given the Liberal Party’s dependence upon rental income from commercial properties, does their opposition to this project smack of conflict of interest?
Mrs Dunne: On a point of order, Mr Speaker, it is entirely irrelevant to the question about the government office block, and I draw again to your attention Mr Hargreaves’s propensity to ask questions which are clearly out of order to soak up the supplementaries.
MR SPEAKER: The question is out of order. The minister is not responsible for the rental situation of the Liberal Party headquarters. Mr Seselja, a supplementary question.
MR SESELJA: Thank you, Mr Speaker. Minister, if the government office block project as outlined is the best value for taxpayers, as you have already claimed, then why is there a need to test the market?
MR BARR: Again, I think the Leader of the Opposition is verballing me. What I would indicate is that—
Mr Seselja: It is a quote.
MR BARR: Yes.
Mr Smyth: You are being verballed by a quote!
MR BARR: No. In the context of the desire to co-locate—
Mr Doszpot interjecting—
MR SPEAKER: Order!
MR BARR: Thank you, Mr Speaker. In the context of the decision and the need to have new accommodation for the ACT public service, the decision to co-locate is a sensible one and is one that is broadly supported by all those who have the long-term interests of the ACT government at heart. In the context of having taken that decision, it was in that context that I made those remarks in May. In relation to the delivery of the project, as the Leader of the Opposition would be aware, there are a variety of
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