No reason for secrets

OPPOSITION Leader David Crisafulli says there is no reason why the cost of the taxpayer-funded Wellcamp quarantine facility should be kept secret.

The state government has repeatedly insisted it can’t reveal the bill because of commercial-in-confidence – despite the Toowoomba centre having not gone to tender.

A government spokesman on Monday told the CourierMail that private sector companies needed certainty their commercial-in-confidence information could be kept private.

But Mr Crisafulli slammed the government, insisting it had a duty to explain to Queenslanders how much its highly-touted quarantine hub was costing.

“I can’t see a reason why that deal could possibly be commercial-in-confidence,” he said.

“I don’t see how either the taxpayer or the government could possibly benefit.

“I heard the Deputy Premier say that it’s a great deal for taxpayers – I’m not sure I’ve ever seen a government not want to publicise a great deal.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles on Sunday said the “lease arrangement represents good value” when compared to costs incurred from the state’s hotel quarantine program.

The government will lease the Toowoomba facility off Wagner Corporation for 12 months with the option to extend.

While the government has cited commercial-in-confidence for various projects in the past, Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in September last year revealed taxpayers had spent $4.6m on securing the NRL grand final.

A government spokesman said it was common for development agreements to contain obligations to keep certain information private.

“Private sector companies need certainty that their commercial-in-confidence information can be kept confidential,” he said.

“Many companies are also sensitive to their internal business affairs, IP and margins being available to the market and other companies.”