QT: Macquarie Point Stadium - Webuild Contractor
Ms BURNET question to TREASURER, Mr ABETZ
[10.18 a.m.]
There are two groups currently bidding to construct the Macquarie Point stadium. One of the companies involved, Webuild, has, according to the New South Wales government, been linked to major delays and cost overruns on multibillion dollar infrastructure projects, with costs reportedly blowing out sixfold. The company has also been referred to various government bodies in New South Wales for investigation. Can you outline what due diligence your government has undertaken in relation to Webuild and whether its alleged conduct in New South Wales is consistent with the expectations set out in your government's Supplier Code of Conduct released on 16 April 2026? Further, what discussions, if any, have you or your government had with the New South Wales government regarding these allegations? Why are Webuild even still in the race?
ANSWER
Honourable Speaker, we know that the honourable member for Clark, Ms Burnet, is opposed to the stadium and will continue to be opposed to the stadium. In relation to the question, she must know that all the probity and other overlays ensures that I, as the government minister, am at arm's length from all this. I say to the honourable member, you can't have it both ways. You cannot say the minister has to be removed from all this and then assert that somehow I am responsible for it or the government is responsible for it.
Might I also add that we are in the middle of a procurement process? Therefore, it stands to reason that with competitive tensions and other things ‑ I don't know who ‑ there might be allegations of this nature floated. What I can provide to the parliament, and I'm willing to table, is a letter from Webuild to the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC) - I table that, Speaker ‑ which deals with some of the allegations made against them.
Paper tabled.
Mr ABETZ - I say this only to place on record that which is in my possession. It is not my role in any way, shape or form to run a defence for Webuild -
Dr Woodruff - Surely it's the basics of due diligence.
The SPEAKER - Order. Honourable Leader of the Greens, this is your first warning.
Mr ABETZ - or indeed any other business that might be involved in this current procurement process. We have to be exceptionally careful that we don't jump on particular bandwagons and allegations without checking them out exceptionally carefully.
What we as a government have indicated to MPDC and those involved in developing the procurement process is that we want a world class stadium at the best possible price. That is what the officials are currently working through. After the expressions of interest system, we had two tenders that went for - or two expressions going forward for the request for tender. That process should continue and be allowed to continue. Undoubtedly, I would assume, these sort of allegations, if they are substantiated, will be taken into account by those undertaking the probity and other checks as to whether particular applicants to build the stadium are fit and proper businesses to do so.
Supplementary Question
Ms BURNET - I find it remarkable, Treasurer, that you don't see that there's a place for you to be concerned. We're talking about a $1.13 billion stadium project. Have you picked up the phone and talked to your Treasurer counterpart, Daniel Mookhey, in New South Wales in relation to his concerns? He's known about this for months, Treasurer. Why aren't you doing your due diligence?
Mr ABETZ - I don't know how often I have to say it. It is not my role or the government's role in relation to the issue of due diligence. The task of MPDC, the probity committee, the oversight committee; they are the ones charged with doing those sorts of checks that you would seek to have undertaken. If I were to involve myself in the way that you are suggesting ‑
Ms Burnet - You just have to pick up the phone.
The SPEAKER - Honourable Deputy Speaker.
Mr ABETZ - I have no doubt that the very first question would be: why are you championing this builder or that builder? Why are you denigrating this builder or that builder? Why do you want to champion? Why are you picking favourites?
Members interjecting.
The SPEAKER - Order. I ask the House to settle, please, so that the Treasurer can be heard.
Mr ABETZ - That would be a very good idea, Speaker, for the honourable member to actually hear what I'm saying. The parliament determines the process -
The SPEAKER - The honourable Treasurer's time has expired.