We are seeing with the AFL stadium the same sort of disconnect between the responsible minister and the relevant government business enterprise that led to the ferries fiasco.
Before our eyes, Minister Abetz is confusing his lack of oversight as an integrity virtue.
He misunderstands the difference between appropriate ministerial oversight and inappropriate involvement in the decision-making process.
It’s clear from his answer to my question in parliament today he is not asking important questions of the Macquarie Point Development Corporation (MPDC).
It’s clear from his answer that he has not asked the MPDC about problems with the WeBuild bid – or he would have had to say so.
It’s similarly clear Mr Abetz has not asked the MPDC about WeBuild’s submission to the Expression of Interest process not conforming with the initial selection matrix – leaving BESIX Watpac as the only “conforming” bidder.
And that’s a worry. Have we learned nothing from the ferries fiasco?
The Treasurer would be well advised to heed the advice of the former Minister Michael Ferguson – to be sceptical about advice in a way that is proportionate to the risk to the public interest, check it with others, and insist on evidence.
The Treasurer can’t outsource his responsibilities as the shareholder minister to a probity adviser or a committee. The buck stops with him. Just as it did with Mr Ferguson.