JONES’ DIVE DEFENCE

TOURISM Minister Kate Jones says she will not hand over $8 million for a Gold

Coast dive site without documentation. “Handing over money without any guarantee is not the way government works,” Ms Jones said. “We need to see some costings, a business plan, I have not seen any paperwork.”

THE State Tourism Minister says she will not hand over $8 million for a Gold Coast dive site without documentation.

Minister Kate Jones said she was still happy to “tip in” for the underwater attraction but felt it would be irresponsible to hand over money without seeing the paperwork first.

“If you make an expression interest as part of a housing auction you will be responsible,” Ms Jones said. “Handing over money without any guarantee is not the way government works.”

The Minister said she had faith in Mayor Tom Tate’s guarantee to cover any extra cost,

but needed to go through “proper processes”.

“I trust him to meet his word to meet the gap after $8 million, but we need to see some cost- ings, a business plan, I have not seen any paperwork,” she said.

“I cannot just hand over $8 million, without going through the proper processes and speaking with the Premier if I was to commit anything outside of the competitive Tourism Infrastructure fund set up as part of the State budget.

“The $36 million is available. However, we have seen no paperwork. It is for all of Queensland to access.”

Cr Tate on Wednesday told the Bulletin he would cover any additional cost for the dive site if the State Government pledged its $8 million

“I believe in Stuart Robert and urge Minister Jones to complete an EOI,” he said.

“If her concern is the dive site project will cost more than $10 million, I commit to finding any additional funds over and above the State’s commitment of $8 million.”

Ms Jones said it was up to Gold Coast Federal MP Stuart Robert to take the lead.

The two have disagreed over funding for the project and the State Government’s decision to withdraw its expressions of interest in any of the three frigates on offer in January.

“He has never spoken to me about this,” Ms Jones said. “I am trying to understand why a federal member seeking something from his own government would need the State Government to step in. It is their ship.”