Tunnel scrapping raises blowout questions

Media Release

OFFICE OF THE LEADER OF THE OPPOSITION

The Newman government has been forced into an embarrassing backflip over the Premier’s private tunnel planned as a link between new $2.6 billion Executive Building and Parliament House.
“While I am pleased that plans for the self-indulgent tunnel enabling the Premier and Ministers to avoid Queenslanders has been abandoned, I remain concerned about the cost to taxpayers of the entire 1 William Street indulgence,” Deputy Opposition Leader Tim Mulherin said."

“I understand the tunnel — a symbol of the LNP’s twisted priorities — would have cost at least $14 million but may now have been scrapped because of a massive blowout in the cost of the new building which taxpayers will rent but never own.
“As Auditor-General reports detail, Queensland taxpayers will be losing $2.6 billion over the next 10-15 years through rent bills and the loss of seven office blocks just so the LNP can have new offices in the Brisbane CBD."
“The entire project and its costings remain shrouded in secrecy despite the LNP’s claim to be open and accountable."
“I want to know if there has been a blowout in building costs that will inevitably be passed on to taxpayers in the massive rent bill of at least $1.2 billion, according to the Auditor-General."
“Has the tunnel been abandoned because of this cost blowout and what is the exact cost of the blowout?”

In response to a question in State Parliament from Mr Mulherin, Acting Premier Jeff Seeney this morning bowed to public outrage over the plan to build the private underground corridor when he conceded it would not go ahead.
“I hope Jeff Seeney has broken the news to the Premier as he jets off overseas, even though this and other critical issues such as the hospital crisis remain on the government’s agenda."
“The folly of this private passage burrowing under Alice Street in the city was clear from the outset."
“The Premier had planned to go ahead and secretly build his tunnel but when his plan was exposed by the Opposition last year, Queenslanders were rightfully horrified."

“At the same time this government sacked thousands of workers and slashed frontline services, it was ready to spend what I understand was $14 million so Campbell Newman could walk from his office under the street."
“Perhaps the main motivation for that was the Premier would rather go underground than face ordinary Queenslanders in the street."
“It was overindulgence at its most obscene."

“And it was typical of this arrogant, reckless government which has only one priority – to construct a shiny new tower for the Premier and his Ministers – and puts its own interests ahead of the interests of Queenslanders.”