$96 MILLION MOTOGP PROJECT GETS JUST FIVE MINUTES OF QUESTIONS AT PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE HEARING

SNAP RALLY AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE – MONDAY 9 NOVEMBER, 11.15 AM

Defenders of Adelaide’s Park Lands demand proper parliamentary scrutiny of public spending and environmental destruction.

The Adelaide Park Lands Association (APLA) is calling on South Australians to gather outside Parliament House at 11.15 am on Monday 9 November for a snap rally protesting the extraordinary lack of parliamentary scrutiny being given to the $96 million Adelaide Circuit Redevelopment Project.

The South Australian Parliament's Public Works Committee will examine the project that day, but the Committee has allocated just 10 minutes to the matter, including only five minutes for questions.

APLA Patron and previous Premier of South Australia, the Hon Rev Dr Lynn Arnold AO said the allocation was a concern to South Australian taxpayers.

“Ninety-six million dollars of taxpayers' money, hundreds of trees threatened, permanent changes to our heritage-listed Park Lands – and our Parliamentarians get just five minutes to ask questions. That's barely enough time to scratch the surface, let alone scrutinise a project of this magnitude,” Dr Arnold said.

“What's the point of having a Public Works Committee if it doesn't allow sufficient time to properly examine major public works?

“The Committee should be asking whether this project is necessary, whether it represents value for money, what the long-term costs will be, and why an existing world-class motorsport venue at The Bend is not being used instead.”

In September, former senior State Transport Department executive Andrew Milazzo released an independent economic assessment estimating that MotoGP could cost South Australian taxpayers up to $360 million over its six-year contract.

His analysis challenged the Government's economic claims and highlighted significant costs associated with road closures, disruption to businesses, taxpayer subsidies, licence fees and track construction.

Despite repeated calls, the Government has not publicly released a comprehensive cost-benefit analysis prepared in accordance with national guidelines.

APLA President Mat Monti calls on the Government to take Mr Milazzo’s paper seriously regarding more transparency for the project:

“Andrew Milazzo has raised serious questions about the economic case for MotoGP in Adelaide. Surely the Public Works Committee should be examining those findings rather than rushing through a $96 million project in ten minutes,” Mr Monti said.

“We are calling on Catherine Hutchesson MP and her fellow Committee members to extend the hearing, release the relevant documents and insist on a full, independent cost-benefit analysis before this project proceeds.”

APLA is urging concerned South Australians to attend the snap rally outside Parliament House. Following the rally, where seating permits, the public can observe the hearing in person.

“Parliament House belongs to the people, and the Public Works Committee is there to protect the public interest. We want South Australians to turn up, witness the process and demand accountability,” Mr Monti said.

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Snap Rally at Parliament House: Public Works Committee - Protect Your Park Lands!

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