The state government will spend $100,000 on a launch celebration for the opening of the new Bridgewater Bridge.
The $99,500 tender was awarded in mid-January to Launceston-based company EventSphere, the sole bidder.
A budget of $70,000 has been approved for event planning and equipment, including advertising, toilets, shuttle buses and AV equipment, while $24,500 has been allocated to the event planner.
Labor leader Dean Winter questioned Premier Jeremy Rockliff in Parliament on Thursday about the “extravagant use of taxpayer money during a budget crisis”.
“Is the Premier aware that his government is planning to spend $100,000 on a Bridgewater Bridge opening and does he endorse that use of taxpayer funds?” he asked.
Rockliff initially suggested the tender, included in the wider project budget, would be examined by the newly established, Elon Musk-inspired, DOGE-like Efficiency and Productivity Unit (EPU).
“All roles are being reviewed at this present time to ensure that we do address the budget circumstances and the challenges that we have,” he said.
“We will endeavour to ensure that we spend scarce taxpayer dollars wisely and for good reason.”
The Premier later added that the free “community thank you” event would proceed.
“Suggestions that this is a $100,000 contract for a party is not only wrong, but it belittles a small Tasmanian events business and disrespects the Bridgewater and Granton communities who will be involved in this significant and important commemoration,” he said.
“Where possible, goods and services will be sourced locally from the communities that we have been working in.”
“This includes things such as food, live music, security, face painting, children’s games, AV equipment, shuttle buses to take people onto the bridge, marquees and advertising. So, you know, flow-on effects benefiting the local community.”
The $786 million Bridgewater Bridge is Tasmania’s largest transport infrastructure project to date.
The main bridge span is expected to be completed by mid-2025, at which point it will open to traffic.
