My question is directed to the Minister for Roads and Ports. How much compensation will be paid to the private operator of Port Botany if a new container terminal is developed at Newcastle Port?"
Former Labor MP Adam Searle asked this question in Parliament on October 17, 2013. In his answer, the minister failed to disclose that on May 31, 2013, the-then Coalition government made a commitment to pay NSW Ports for the number of containers handled at the Port of Newcastle above a cap. The fact that the question was asked proved that Labor knew about the government's deal with NSW Ports, but had no hard evidence.
