Labor Shadow Industrial Relations Minister Wayne Berry has uncovered a code of secrecy around the operations of the Williamsdale Quarry in his long running campaign about the Humphries Government’s handling of the quarry.
Mr Berry’s discovery follows the refusal of the Territory’s Chief Minister to answer questions about the operations of the Williamsdale Quarry.
The ACT Government’s disposed of half its interest in the quarry without reference to the ACT Legislative Assembly. Mr Berry has been campaigning for almost a year on the sale of the asset and the failure of the Government to bring the quarry up to full production.
"The Confidentiality Deed required by Williamsdale Quarry as a condition of employment for its workers is clearly a move to keep controversial aspects of the quarry’s operations from public view," Mr Berry said.
"The deed contains a most threatening clause:
‘The Employee acknowledges that damages are not a sufficient remedy for Williamsdale for any breach of this Deed and Williamsdale is entitled to specific performance or injunctive relief (as appropriate) as a remedy for any breach or threatened breach by the Employee, in addition to any other remedies available to Williamsdale at law or in equity.’
"At the same time I have received confirmation of the Williamsdale Quarry provision of discounts to Totalcare’s competitors which the Chief Minister refused to answer questions on in the Assembly.
"The half Government owned Williamsdale Quarry gives significant discounts to competitors of the Government owned Totalcare. Why did the Chief Minister refuse to answer my questions about this practice!
"Our confidence was not assisted when the Auditors General said:
‘I disclaim any assumption of responsibility for any reliance on this report or on the financial statements to which it relates to any person other than the participants and the members of the ACT Legislative Assembly or for any purpose other than that for which they were prepared.’
"The Williamsdale Quarry is a major investment for the Territory and a future Labor Government will crack the code of secrecy in order that ACT taxpayers are able to judge for themselves," Mr Berry concluded.