SCG deal a slap in the face to Weatherill

Posted on January 3, 2012

The Federal Labor Government’s $50 million contribution to the Sydney Cricket Ground redevelopment is a slap in the face to Premier Weatherill and South Australians.

While the Federal Labor Government committed $50 million to the $186 million SCG upgrade, they only committed $30 million to the $600 million Adelaide Oval redevelopment in Prime Minister Julia Gillard’s home state.

This means that the Federal Labor Government contributed over 25 per cent of the entire SCG upgrade, compared to only 5 per cent of the Adelaide Oval redevelopment – almost six times the Adelaide Oval contribution.

Leader of the Opposition Isobel Redmond said this was an embarrassing day for Premier Weatherill.

“Mr Weatherill should be embarrassed that a Liberal NSW Premier was able to negotiate a better stadium deal with the Federal Labor Government compared to his own Labor Government,” Ms Redmond said.

“Today’s announcement also brings into question Premier Weatherill’s ability to negotiate other major infrastructure projects, if he is struggling to negotiate a good stadium deal with his Federal Labor colleagues.

“Labor Governments around Australia are spending millions of dollars on sporting stadiums at a time when hard-working Australian families are suffering under escalating cost of living pressures.

“Given the South Australian Labor Government’s history of significant cost blow-outs on infrastructure projects, it is questionable whether the Adelaide Oval redevelopment will be completed on time and on budget.”