Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee, , 3:50:44 to 3:56:44
Officials confirm that the Commonwealth was not consulted on the appointment of independent reviewers for the Suburban Rail Loop's technical review, which is expected in early 2027.
Topics: Infrastructure, Integrity, Procurement
Speakers: Hon Bridget McKenzie, Senator Paul Scarr, Lachlan Wood, Mr. Jim Betts, Unknown Speaker, Interjection, Jessica Hall
is the department aware of the changes to the project scope announced uh, by Ben Carroll on the 25th of August, including the cancellation of the underground interchanges at Boxill and Glenn Waverly.
>> Yes. So these are the reviews that we're talking about now is all interrelated to those decisions and those announcements.
>> Yes. So you know about them. I don't. So you are aware that they relate to the Boxhill and Glenn Wavely interchanges, the rapid review.
>> Yes.
>> And is that also going to be subject to the technical review being handed down early 2027?
>> Technical review is looking at value engineering opportunities.
>> Who's doing the technical review? Has
there been um They've appointed three independent people to do that review. >> I don't know. I don't know their names.
has the department assessed whether these changes materially affect the project's benefit, particularly the passenger connectivity and journey time benefits underpinning its business case?
>> I think we've just answered that question, Senator. So, we will pick all of that up as
>> aart once. Yeah. have you sought advice from Infrastructure Australia on whether the revised project scope warrants a fresh
>> Once we get the information, we will be working with Infrastructure Australia.
>> In the meantime, you and Infrastructure Australia haven't said, well, when this comes in, we're going to do
>> we've had a conversation.
>> You have had a conversation. has Victoria provided the Commonwealth with a revised project budget, an updated benefits analysis reflecting the premier's announced change?
>> Not as yet. I would expect that will also come once the independent technical review is completed.
>> Everything's just waiting till after this state election, aren't they? >> Oh, well, it's Were you consulted with respect to the that's been completed? Were Were the Commonwealth Department consulted? Was infrastructure Australia consulted? >> Was the minister consulted?
>> I don't believe so, but it would be a question for Infrastructure Australia.
>> So, there was no consultation with the Commonwealth Department in relation to the identity of the independent reviewers. >> So, the state government didn't seek any assistance from the Comwalth Department um given its extensive um expertise and we've been talking about the Western Sydney Airport Project. They didn't seek your input with respect to who would be an appropriate independent reviewer and who had the expertise, whether or not it should be individuals or there should actually be individuals with a company say like Bectil standing behind them. They didn't seek your input at all.
>> They didn't seek my input. No.
>> They just went ahead and appointed these independent reviewers and you're only going to be involved once they complete the review and provide you the report. Correct.
>> Well, they've been keeping us informed of the progress of where they're up to. But yes, that it's a Victoria is the delivery partner um and major fun. And so they are undertaking this review um and we will receive the information and then perform our own views and provide advice accordingly.
>> I think it's important to understand that the $3.8 billion is still subject to a process of approval at the Commonwealth end including advice um to Minister King before the milestones are hardwired into federal funding schedules. So we have plenty of opportunity and plenty of leverage to ensure that issues of concern to us are satisfactorily addressed.
>> But it would have been good, wouldn't it, Mr. Bits, had you been approached to give some ideas with respect to the identity of independent reviewers to make sure that you had some sort of some sort of opportunity to contribute to the robustness of the process.
>> It's always nice to be consulted, but we weren't. For instance, when the Queensland government did a review on the uh Olympics venues, some sometimes the government sees the initiative. And
>> that was an abrupt segue, Mr. Petty. I'll go back to Senator McKenzie.
>> Keep going, Mr. That was very good. >> First poke in the chest. Lean in. >> just in terms of the um your answer to Senator Scarr earlier, Mr. bets around the advice provided to Mr. King on milestone payments etc. Were was the also included pausing payments to this project pending the outcome of the independent review.
>> Um so we haven't we provided advice to Minister King on the 2.2 billion commitment. We have not yet provided advice to Minister King on the more recent 3.8 8 billion investment. That's what we will provide advice on after the review is complete.
>> And it will include advice about whether to pause, condition, halt, milestone payments.
>> It will it will contain advice on all issues which we think are relevant to the minister's decision. Uh and we've described previously in these hearings process associated with any inappropriate behavior and the threshold tests we would expect to see. Has the
department been called to give evidence to the Royal Commission in Victoria?
>> Not as yet, Senator.
>> Sorry.
>> Not as yet, Senator.
>> Not as yet. But you remain um willing to participate.
>> We would we're um willing to support um the operations for Royal Commission. It will be entirely up to the Royal Commission to determine who they seek submissions and evidence from.