House debates

Thursday, 23 October 2014

Questions without Notice

Hobart: Macquarie Point

2:21 pm

Photo of Andrew WilkieAndrew Wilkie (Denison, Independent) Share this | | Hansard source

My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Minister, I helped secure a $50 million grant to refurbish Macquarie Point in Hobart and unleash $1 billion in investment. This is the largest brownfield site left in any capital city, but the state government is now talking about using it for a woodchip pile. Minister, surely this is at odds with any agreement with the Commonwealth, in which case will you immediately quash this plan?

2:22 pm

Photo of Ms Julie BishopMs Julie Bishop (Curtin, Liberal Party, Minister for Foreign Affairs) Share this | | Hansard source

I thank the member for Denison for his question. I am advised that there was a project agreement for the remediation of the Macquarie Point rail yard signed in June 2012 between the former federal Labor government and the former state Labor government. I am also advised that the proposal relating to another use of land does not relate to the scope of this agreement. Therefore, the state Liberal government is fully compliant with the agreement.