Jessica Page: Roger Cook must convince voters a motorsport precinct won’t come at health’s expense

Whether the ends justify the means has been a philosophical debate for the ages. The 17 per cent budget blowout to build the Mandurah rail line that made Alannah MacTiernan a Labor legend was long ago forgotten and forgiven. I suspect Metronet’s $13 billion cost will be too. But though the $217 million Burswood precinct plan is much cheaper, it is fast becoming a bigger thorn in Labor’s side. The short-term political cost might be more than that project is worth. The Opposition will continue stoking the fire of a public backlash at every opportunity, no matter how long the bow might be. The $217 million being set aside for Burswood would not solve WA’s elective surgery backlog, true. But the Premier’s statement on Monday that Government can walk and chew gum at the same time won’t dull the pain of 29,187 patients stuck on that wait list. There’s no business case, so we don’t know if the tourism numbers stack up, but the Burswood project has a time frame for completion by early 2027 for the start of the V8 Supercars. A $97 million redevelopment of Royal Perth Hospital has neither a business case, or a target date. “It’s a much more complicated build than just simply putting an entertainment and sports precinct on a rubbish tip,” Mr Cook said. Pressed over the timeline for hospital upgrades during question time on Tuesday, Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey promised: “those details will be revealed in the Budget”. The Premier said “jobs, health and housing” are the Government’s priorities. “And a race track,” the Opposition interjected. “Is that before or after the race track?” They might be apples and oranges, but the Opposition will continue to exploit the backlash over “Rita’s race track and Roger’s rugby team” to argue the Government has its priorities wrong. Talk back radio, social media and letters to this masthead suggest the mud is sticking. The Government only has itself to blame, but is playing a longer game. The cart was put before the horse in January, when Labor announced the plan for an amphitheatre, cycling track and a street circuit as a fait accompli. A month later, the local mayor went public to complain about a lack of consultation. “Change is always challenging,” Treasurer Rita Saffioti said. “We’re very keen to work with the local community to make sure that we can mitigate any impact.” Mitigate might mean amending the plans, but definitely does not mean throwing them out. It was clear Labor was full speed ahead on this one. And though Karen Vernon’s criticism presented a speed bump at press conferences, it was too easily dismissed as petty politics during an election campaign. A resounding victory, and a swing against Labor that was less in Victoria Park than elsewhere, means the Government can claim a mandate. A community consultation process was announced this month. The community can “inform the process” with an online portal to “share your ideas” but there is no option to oppose the project altogether. Submissions are limited to 140 characters, with guidelines that warn “a general statement or comment (not an idea) won’t be published”. They have been published though. “The race track will destroy the area,” Riverlove73 said. “Upgrade existing venues,” TimSaveBurswoodPark said. “None of that wanted in Burswood Park.” “This feels a bit rushed,” Ethan_91 said. But there is some support for the idea too. “Racetrack concept is great .. add a play ground,” V8SRGreat said. “Compliment Optus. Perth on show! Economy boost,” Sincs said. Rewind to December 2011. Colin Barnett was once hauled over the coals by Labor for his captain’s call to build a new stadium in Burswood. “This Premier is spending like a drunken sailor and driving the State’s debt up,” Roger Cook said. Another Government, another budget blowout. A stadium that was meant to cost $700 million ended up costing $1.6 billion, with no help from the AFL that desperately wanted it. By 2019, it was the Labor State Government that was reaping the benefits and issuing media statements that hailed a $66 million tourism boost and WA’s highest ever sporting attendance. An entertainment precinct that includes a street circuit could become Labor’s Perth Stadium, with a key difference. Build it and they will come. And a timetable that aims for project completion by 2027 means it will still be Labor in power to enjoy the spoils, two years before the next State election. Perhaps that’s the rush? There is a catch though. Voters will only give the Government credit in 2029 for the nice, shiny things if they also get the basics right. Though sometimes walking is harder than chewing gum.