The Legislative Council’s Budget and Finance Committee had resolved to launch an immediate inquiry into the Adelaide Oval redevelopment fiasco.
“At its meeting yesterday, the Committee resolved to call a series of witnesses including SMA CEO Leigh Whicker, SMA Chairman Ian McLachlan, Steering Committee Chairman Bruce Carter, and Steering Committee members/advisers Rod Hook, Bob Boorman and Kevin Cantley,” Shadow Minister for Finance Rob Lucas said today.
“The Budget and Finance Committee has the power to compel the attendance of witnesses and the production of documents to the Committee.
“Recent revelations about the cost blowout mean that it is essential the extent of the Rann Government’s knowledge of the blowout before the election must be revealed in full.
“The integrity of Mr Rann, Mr Foley and the entire Rann Labor Government hinges on this critical issue.
“If documents, emails, or notes of conversations exist, which reveal prior Government knowledge of the blowout, then the Committee has the power to get that information.”
In fact, the Committee has resolved to write to Mr Whicker to require provision of any document, email or notes of meetings or telephone conversations between himself and Mr Carter prior to 20 March 2010 which indicate that the cost of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment might be higher than $450 million to be provided to the Committee by Friday 25 June 2010.
The Committee has also required Mr Whicker to provide all documents, emails and notes of meetings or telephone conversations prior to 20 March 2010 which indicate that the cost of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment might be higher than $450 million to be provided to the Committee by Friday 9 July 2010.
“I am also confident that a witness like Mr Whicker will tell the truth when asked questions about these issues,” Mr Lucas said.
“There are now too many unanswered questions about the Adelaide Oval redevelopment fiasco and more than $535 million of taxpayers’ money is now at risk.
“It is imperative that there be a public and transparent inquiry independent of the Labor Government and this is best conducted by the Legislative Council’s Budget and Finance Committee.”
The Budget and Finance Committee membership comprises Hon Rob Lucas MLC, Hon David Ridgway MLC, Hon John Darley MLC, Hon Russell Wortley MLC and Hon Bernard Finnigan MLC.
The Committee has also resolved to meet on Monday 28 June 2010 to commence the inquiry.