By: Nick Tyrrell
The federal government has today confirmed what every Canberran already suspected: after spending $10 million and nearly two decades of “planning,” Labor still can’t tell us where the new Canberra Stadium will actually be built, or when, or for how much.
The long-awaited Bruce precinct masterplan, unveiled this week, doesn’t pick a site. It offers two “scenarios.” It doesn’t commit a dollar to construction. And it comes on top of at least nine previous reports into the stadium since 2009. Commissioned, filed, and forgotten, one Chief Minister and one Prime Minister at a time.
Liberal Senate Candidate Nick Tyrrell said Canberrans don’t need a $10 million study to learn we’re still stuck at Bruce with no funding and no finish date.
“This isn’t planning. It’s a plan to have a plan, about a plan for a plan. We already had nine of those. Somewhere in the Legislative Assembly, there is a filing cabinet groaning under the weight of nine stadium reports, and today Labor added a tenth. At a cost that would fund a lot of things Canberra actually needs right now,” Mr Tyrrell said.
“Katy Gallagher calls this ‘opening up an exciting discussion.’ After seventeen years, Canberrans don’t want another discussion. They want a decision. Yet again we are failed by career politicians who hope we’ll forget their record in office.”
Cost blowouts, not just delays
Mr Tyrrell pointed to the ballooning price tag as proof the government’s approach is failing taxpayers, not just fans.
“When this started, government estimates put a new stadium at around $500 million. Today’s own figures put it at up to $1.8 billion. Every year Labor spends ‘consulting’ is a year the price goes up. Dithering isn’t free. Someone always pays for it, and it’s always the same someone: the Canberra taxpayer.”
“This is the story of Canberra under one-party rule, federal and territory: big taxpayer-funded studies, small taxpayer-funded outcomes. Canberrans are entitled to ask what $10 million of consultants’ time actually bought them, beyond a colourful diagram and a promise that the real decision is still coming.
“I’m not against spending money to get this right. I’m against spending money instead of getting it right. There’s a difference, and after nine – sorry, ten – reports, Canberra’s entitled to see it.”
Right idea, wrong postcode — and still no cheque.
Mr Tyrrell reiterated his support for a city-based stadium, alongside Senator David Pocock, the Canberra Business Chamber and the NRL, all of whom have long argued a Civic location would do more to revitalise the city centre than another oversized car park in Bruce.
“Labor is isolated on this issue. They’re the only ones pushing Bruce. A stadium that sits empty on the edge of town does nothing for Civic’s nightlife, hospitality or small business. Put it in the city and you get a stadium and a shot in the arm for every café, pub and small business owner who’s been waiting for the ACT government to actually back the town centre.
“I’ll work with anyone who wants Canberra to get its fair share of federal infrastructure spending instead of being treated as a safe seat that can be taken for granted every three years.”