The Liberals continued their pursuit of Chief Minister Andrew Barr over the Brumbies land deal on Wednesday, asking whether David Lamont had made any representations to government over the sale of its Griffith land and move to the University of Canberra.
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The Liberals also raised a new front in the controversy, questioning the source of Brumbies sponsorship. In a question for which the context went unexplained, the Liberals asked whether "any other entity" had "paid a cash sponsorship to the Brumbies on the University of Canberra's behalf". The Liberals also asked for the detail of the University of Canberra's sponsorship of the Brumbies, including how much was cash. Education minister Meegan Fitzharris replied that the questions should be addressed to the university.
Liberal leader Jeremy Hanson asked whether former Labor deputy chief minister, now development consultant, David Lamont or his associates had dealt with the government or bureaucracy about the sale of the Brumbies land and move to the University of Canberra before 2013. Mr Barr said, "I don't believe so ... but I will check the record to confirm that my recollection is correct."
On Tuesday, when asked what involvement Mr Lamont had had in the transaction and in the $7.5 million tax concession granted by the government for the deal, Mr Barr responded, "In relation to the ACT government, none."
He failed to directly answer a question on Tuesday about what conversations he had had with Mr Lamont about the deal.
Asked on Wednesday whether Mr Lamont or his associates had made representations to the government to have the $7.5 million lease variation charge waived, Mr Barr said, "I don't believe so. I believe the representations came from the Brumbies themselves. Again, I will confirm that, but that is my recollection."
Asked who had been granted the $7.5 million tax waiver, Mr Barr said, "I believe the Brumbies who were the the lessees of the former Canberra South Bowling Club. But again, to ensure that the record is 100 per cent accurate, I will check the correspondence."
The questions go to the negotiations and deals between 2009 and 2013 for the Brumbies to sell their Griffith land to Graham Potts' Amalgamated Property Group for $11.375 million and move their base to the University of Canberra. After taking up the reins as Brumbies chief executive, Michael Jones raised significant concerns about the deal and commissioned an investigation, which is now before police. The issue sparked a bitter split between Mr Jones and the Brumbies board and Mr Jones has now agreed to step down.
Details of precise concerns remain sketchy and the Brumbies investigation report, done by KPMG, has been suppressed by the court. But it is clear there are concerns about Mr Lamont's work for the Brumbies and his role as a project adviser for the University of Canberra on its campus development, including its new sports hub, as well as his links to the Labor Party. There are also concerns about why the redevelopment of the Griffith land was granted a $7.5 million tax waiver, given it was bought and is being developed by a private developer.
