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Small businesses denied CBD Metro compensation
Thursday 01 July 2010
Greens MP and transport spokesperson Lee Rhiannon is calling on the NSW government to make public details of what compensation claims by small businesses disadvantaged by the CBD Metro project have been settled and how many have been refused, following reports of some being rejected by the government.
(SMH today, http://bit.ly/dcGcDj)
Ms Rhiannon has been negotiating with the Minister for Transport for the release of secret CBD Metro documents which detail the compensation process. These are now due on 5 July 2010.
"The rejection of these compensation claims by the NSW government is another kick in the teeth for small businesses which, through no fault of their own, have been dragged into the CBD Metro debacle," Ms Rhiannon said.
"None of these businesses relish pursuing the government in court, a process which would further burden them financially and rob them of time better spent at work.
"Providing the opportunity for a 'second opinion' by a retired judge appointed and paid for by the government is insulting.
"Affected businesses are understandably annoyed at the government for publicly claiming it cares for small businesses while privately rejecting legitimate claims.
"The government must know it has the upper hand in these negotiations and is working to string out the process to avoid paying compensation.
"Minister for Transport John Robertson was quick to release details of the final $93 million in compensation paid to the five major construction tenderers, but has not been so forthcoming in relation to small businesses.
"Major construction companies have the capacity to negotiate with the government, hiring the teams of lawyers and accountants necessary to do so. This is not the case for small businesses.
"Many of these small players have been treated badly in the compensation wrangle that followed the axing of the CBD Metro," Ms Rhiannon said.
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