CATHERINE KING AND TIM AYRES – MEDIA RELEASE – SENATE INQUIRY TO EXAMINE LEPPINGTON LAND DEAL- WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020

SENATE INQUIRY TO EXAMINE WESTERN SYDNEY AIRPORT
Labor has today established a Senate Inquiry into the Morrison Government’s management of the Western Sydney Airport project, including the purchase of the Leppington Triangle.
This is one of Australia’s largest infrastructure projects, it is essential that it is subjected to appropriate oversight.

This inquiry comes after the Morrison Government’s dodgy Leppington land deal saw a $26.7 million overspend on a piece of land valued at only $3 million.

The price paid per hectare by the Morrison Government was 22 times higher than the price paid by the NSW Government for its portion of the Leppington Triangle.

This is a serious scandal that the Morrison Government has refused to take seriously. The Deputy Prime Minister referred to the purchase as “a bargain” and the government has refused a Senate order to release ministerial briefings regarding the purchase.

After this scandal, Australians can have no confidence in the Morrison Government’s infrastructure spending.

This inquiry will be important in finding what went on with this land purchase and ensuring the Western Sydney Airport project is successfully completed.

WEDNESDAY, 9 DECEMBER 2020