Contract details to be tabled in Parliament

16/1/04

The State Government will release the CBD rail tunnel contract as soon as Parliament resumes.

Planning and Infrastructure Minister Alannah MacTiernan said today that the only information that would be deleted would be the individual pricing methodologies and independent price components.

"It would be inappropriate for subcontractors tendering for work from Leightons Kumagi Gumi on this contract to have access to this information," Ms MacTiernan said.

"Further, the disclosure of this information could have a significant impact on Leighton's ability to compete in the open market for future infrastructure projects."

Ms MacTiernan said the Public Transport Authority was already holding four archive boxes, containing more than 110 documents relating to the project estimate and the contract specifications, collated in response to an FOI (Freedom of Information) request from The West Australian.

"There are consultants' reports, technical assessments, engineering studies, estimates and specifications," she said.

"We have made every effort to make available as much information as possible.

"Already we have tabled in Parliament more than 100 reports relating to the New MetroRail project.

"We are very comfortable with the level of detailed investigation, meticulous planning, and design development, and are happy to make this public.

"The level of disclosure goes well beyond what is required under FOI.

"The previous government never made available information of this nature. For example, the Northbridge Tunnel contracts were never released.

"We should soon be able to put an end to the unfounded allegations and sensationalist rumours - on the first day of the new Parliamentary year I will be tabling the contract documents."