No Approval For Williamsdale Joint Venture - FOI Request Refused

Wayne Berry - Opposition Spokesperson on Employment

Media Statement - 21 August 2001

The Chief Minister and shareholder of Totalcare is unable to show that the joint venture at the Williamsdale Quarry has been approved by the Government Labor Shadow Employment Minister Wayne Berry said today.

Mr Berry tabled a letter from the Government to Totalcare signed by Mt Humphries consenting to a joint venture on the condition that it was between Totalcare and 'Mitchell Mini-Mix and possibly CSR Emoleum' - the joint venture was eventually established between Totalcare and Pavement Salvage Holdings Pty Ltd (PSH).

"The Chief Minister was unable to show that the joint venture with PSH was approved by the Government.

"The primary condition of the original consent was never met, i.e. a joint venture between Totalcare and 'Mitchell Mini-Mix and possibly CSR Emoleum'.

"Section 16 of the Territory Owned Corporations Act requires consent conditions to be satisfied and it appears that the Chief Minister and Totalcare shareholder has not given approval for the joint venture with PSH.

"My Freedom of Information application for all documents associated with the Williamsdale Quarry has been refused under the Government's common catchcry of 'commercial in confidence'. Unless Mr Humphries can demonstrate that the proper approval has been given, the community will never know whether the conditions of section 16 of the Territory Owned Corporations Act have been complied with.

"Mr Humphries knows the ropes - the consent of the Government was given for a joint venture which never eventuated. But he is unwilling or unable to come forward with evidence that approval was given for the joint venture which did eventuate.

"It's about time the Chief Minister explained how he will rectify this mistake - without his usual stream of abuse.

"The emergence of this issue following on from the Bruce Stadium fiasco and the tragic Hospital Implosion is another instance of the haphazard way the Liberals do business," Mr Berry concluded.