Silence on $3m huts grant

THE Federal Government is refusing to release the details of a multimillion-dollar grant made to a private developer seeking to build huts in a wilderness area under a discredited grants scheme.

Taxpayers will stump up $2.95 million towards the estimated $5.9 million to build six huts along the South Coast Track in the Tasmanian World Heritage Wilderness. The developer behind the Maria Island Walk, Ian Johnstone, is negotiating with the State Government for the exclusive rights to build and operate the huts under the controversial expressions of interest process.

“It provides a new opportunity for people to walk in this remarkable wilderness in safety and without having to carry a heavy pack,” the project blurb says. The grant was provided under the Regional Jobs and Investment Packages (RJIP) program – a Federal Government grants scheme which has come under fire for “administrative shortcomings” by the Australian National Audit Office.

Greens Senator Nick McKim has attempted to uncover details of the grant through the Senate Estimates Committee process, to no avail.

“The Department of Industry, Innovation and Science … advise that they cannot provide a copy of the application and/or the grant agreement without the other grantee’s consent unless required or authorised by law or parliament to disclose,” came the reply to questions.

Senator McKim said “the Liberals don’t understand the value of public spaces, public money and public accountability”. “Tasmanians deserve to know the terms of the agreement. After all, it’s their land that’s being privatised, and their money the Liberals are giving to a private business.”

The National Audit Office found a panel of Coalition government ministers declined RJIP grant applications recommended for approval by bureaucrats – and approved many which were not recommended. Around $27 million from the $220 million national program was allocated to 49 projects in Tasmania.

The marginal seat of Lyons received 53 per cent of the Tasmanian funding, while the safe Labor-held seat of Franklin received 10 per cent. No grants were made in the safe, independent-held seat of Clark.

Around 25 per cent of Tasmanian projects recommended for approval by departmental officers were rejected by the ministerial committee.