All governments divest of property which is no longer fit-for-purpose or can be better utilised by others.
The Treasury Building and Precinct is a magnificent site with significant heritage and history.
While it has served the Department of Treasury and Finance for many decades, the buildings are not well suited to modern and efficient office accommodation.
The Government believes these beautiful buildings could provide the perfect opportunity for a new development with greater public access, to take better advantage of the building's heritage and prime CBD location, whilst conserving these features for future generations.
It is hypocritical of the Greens and their coalition partners in the Labor Party to cry crocodile tears about the sale of the Treasury Building when under their watch they sold a number of significant properties, some with iconic or historic elements, including:
- City Villas, former students hostel, 132 Elizabeth Street, Launceston 2010
- The Cottages, Wellington Street, Launceston – 2010
- Highfield House, Murray and Bathurst Streets Hobart – 2009
- 1 Franklin Wharf, an iconic waterfront commercial property – 2008
- 7 – 9 Franklin Wharf – 2008
- 3 – 9 Barrack Street, Deloraine, an ex-Teachers Residence and Hall – 2008.
At the same time, the former Labor-Green government also sold-off Tasmanian business assets, including:
- Hobart International Airport Pty Ltd (on behalf of TasPorts) – 2008
- The Printing Authority of Tasmania – 2008
- The Southern Regional Cemetery Trust – 2008
- The TOTE – 2008
Not to mention, their biggest act of fiscal vandalism - raiding Tasmania’s superannuation fund which will never be forgotten.