Page 498 - Week 02 - Wednesday, 17 February 2016
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MR BARR: I have certainly attended various Infrastructure Partnerships Australia industry events right across the country, where it is possible that representatives of superannuation funds may have been in attendance, and I would have discussed forthcoming projects in the ACT infrastructure pipeline. But it has always been my intent to maximise the level of national and international investor interest in projects in the ACT. I think we have demonstrated our success in raising awareness of infrastructure development opportunities in the city with the quality of national and international firms that have participated in recent ACT government procurements, whether that is in health-related infrastructure, transport-related infrastructure or education. We continue to actively seek new capital for our city because our city does not have sufficient capital within its own sources to meet all of our infrastructure needs. So Canberra, like Australia, will be an importer of capital.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, how will you dispel the perception of a conflict of interest between your role as Labor leader and Chief Minister with regard to this project?
MR BARR: I have no role in the procurement process. That is a process—
Mr Coe interjecting—
MADAM SPEAKER: Order, Mr Coe!
MR BARR: I should not respond to Mr Coe’s interjection.
MADAM SPEAKER: No, you should not.
MR BARR: But I will. I will quickly correct the record there. You are wrong, Mr Coe, on that point. The procurement process is at arm’s length from government ministers, as it should be. A recommendation will come forth from the appropriate officials against an appropriate criterion that is set to assess the successful bidder for the procurement of the government office block.
MADAM SPEAKER: A supplementary question, Mr Wall.
MR WALL: Chief Minister, is the real motivation for emptying office buildings around the city and moving thousands of public servants around simply to support your union mates?
MR BARR: I am sorry; your colleagues were talking over you. I did not hear the first part of your question.
MR WALL: My question was: is the real motivation for emptying existing office buildings around the city and moving thousands of servants around simply a plan to support your union mates?
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