Category: Australia

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The price of fuel is set to rise next month, and calls are growing for the government to step in

A sign shows petrol prices are over 200c a litre for unleaded and diesel.

Coalition and crossbench MPs are calling on the federal government to extend fuel price relief beyond the end of September, in an effort to counter the rising cost of living.

The halving of the fuel excise — at 44 cents a liter tax on fuel — is due to expire on September 28.

It means prices will rise by 22 cents a liter after September 29.

For months the federal government has insisted the measure cannot continue beyond that date due to the significant cost to the budget.

The end date was set by the Morrison government, as the measure was included in the March budget.

But Nationals MP David Gillespie argues when that date was decided, there was genuine hope prices might have fallen further by now.

David Gillespie with Barnaby Joyce behind him.
David Gillespie (left) says an extension to the excise is justified. (AAP: Mick Tsikas)

“When those announcements were made, the thought was that things might turn back to normal pretty quickly,” he said.

“We were hoping that Ukraine and Russia might come to terms, and there would be a flow of liquid and gas as per normal, but that is definitely not happening anytime soon.”

Mr Gillespie said an extension to the price relief can now be justified.

“It is a reasonable response to an extraordinary situation, a shortage of liquid fuel around the world,” he said.

Mr Gillespie’s colleague, Nationals MP Darren Chester, also agreed that while prices remained high, the interim measure had to remain in place for longer.

“I would like it extended given the disproportionate impact it has on regional motorists who often don’t have access to public transport,” he said.

“At a time when regional tourism is recovering, we also want to see city people choosing a domestic holiday and supporting local jobs.”

Their calls are echoed by Liberal backbencher Bridget Archer, who represents the northern Tasmanian seat of Bass.

A woman with blonde hair sits in a room with fairy lights.
Bridget Archer says high cost of fuel would have a significant impact on almost everyone. (ABC News: Luke Bowden)

Ms Archer said fuel prices are taking a heavy toll, and the government needs to either continue providing some relief — or come up with other assistance.

“The cost of living is rising daily and the high cost of fuel is having a significant impact on almost everyone who lives in my community which has a knock-on effect,” she said.

“I would like to see an extension of the fuel excise relief and if the government chooses not to, they must demonstrate what they will do to support individuals and families who are struggling.”

‘Take a staggered approach’

The new independent member for the western Sydney seat of Fowler, Dai Le, said her community will struggle to absorb the price rise.

“Families out in western and south-western Sydney, in electorates like mine, are really struggling with all of these higher prices for everything,” she said.

“So that’s why I have been asking the government to really consider extending the fuel excise when it ends in September.”

Meet Dai Le – the independent who won in Labor's heartland
Dai Le says the government should at least consider a staggered approach to ending the excise. (7.30 Report)

Ms Le wants to see the relief extended for a further six months, taking it into 2023.

But she said if the government won’t agree to that, it should stagger the increases in the excise, rather than returning it all at once.

“At least take a staggered approach, to incrementally (increase) the fuel excise over the next few months,” she said.

“But from my understanding the government will not budge.”

Ms Le called on Labor MP’s in western Sydney to join her call for the measure to be extended, arguing their communities are in a similar position.

Some Labor MP’s in the area have told the ABC it is a complex problem, and acknowledge their constituents will feel the impact heavily.

Government remains reluctant

Treasurer Jim Chalmers has been repeatedly asked to rule out extending the fuel excise in recent weeks.

On each occasion he has warned Australians not to expect an extension, and pointed to the enormous cost to the budget — estimated at $3 billion over six months.

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The elephant in the room for the gas industry

The elephant in the room for the gas industry

And on price, the interventions by government – ​​including the Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism itself – have not helped. As noted by the ACCC, expectation of a threat in triggering the mechanism was a factor in some industrial buyers declining to lock in prices below $10 a gigajoule that were on offer in 2021 as they held out for cheaper deals.

“Our review of supplier pricing strategies found that some suppliers appear to have been influenced in their domestic market pricing by a perceived threat of regulatory intervention at prices above $10/GJ,” the ACCC said.

Adding to the complacency was the lack of warning on a shortfall this year – by either the ACCC or the Australian Energy Market Operator. In reality, the wave of coal power outages in the National Electricity Market prompted an increase in demand for gas for power generation, which drove up prices sharply.

Meanwhile, the international market for gas has transformed since 12 months ago, propelled higher by shortages in Europe, exacerbated by efforts to switch away from Russian gas.

MST Marquee energy analyst Mark Samter says the question of what a “fair” price is for domestic gas has “changed profoundly” in the past six months, given developments in international gas markets.

He notes contracts struck in the east coast market late last year at about $15/GJ locked in a meaningful discount to contracted LNG prices, which are now about $US15 per unit, European gas prices of about $US50 and spot LNG at about $US40 per unit.

“Even $15/GJ would be extremely competitive on a global basis,” he says, noting that prices at LNG “netback” levels – which gas buyers for many years were calling for – are much higher.

LNG “netback” prices – the domestic gas equivalent price for LNG exported to the Asian spot market – stand at $48.91/GJ for August 2022, according to the ACCC’s latest price data.

Amid the latest crunch in southern gas supplies after the failure of NSW gas retailer Weston Energy, some manufacturers say they cannot get any offers of contracted gas, and are still paying default rates sometimes as high as $40/GJ or more after being switched to a retailer of last resort.

Credit Suisse energy analyst Saul Kavonic notes that east coast gas buyers are facing little criticism for repeatedly failing to lock in long-term cheap gas supply when the opportunity was available, instead shifting the blame to producers again.

“We would argue the responsibility for any manufacturing job losses lie primarily with the management of manufacturers being greedy in pursuit of a slightly cheaper gas deal only 18 months ago, rather than locking in gas supply they could afford,” Kavonic says.

He says price “remains the elephant in the room”, with the ACCC acknowledging that “internationally competitive” pricing linked to LNG is high, and unpalatable for some buyers, but some signs the government could pursue lower prices.

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National Center of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern to close next week leaving staff ‘heartbroken’

National Center of Indigenous Excellence in Redfern to close next week leaving staff 'heartbroken'

Community members and staff of an Indigenous social enterprise in inner Sydney that provides health and wellbeing services say they have been left “heartbroken” by a decision to shut down the non-profit organisation.

The National Center of Indigenous Excellence (NCIE) is set to close its doors in Redfern on Monday after failed negotiations between the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC) and new owners the New South Wales Aboriginal Land Council (NSWALC).

The ILSC, a Commonwealth body that assists in acquiring and managing rights and interests in land and waters, divested the site to the NSWALC on June 30.

But both organizations have been unable to reach an agreement on the social hub’s ongoing support.

The center opened in 2006 and offers sports, fitness, conferences and community classes including tutoring and educational support.

Outside of the National Center of Indigenous Excellence
The National Center of Indigenous Excellence will close next week.(AAP: Dan Himbrechts)

It employs about 50 people, most of them Indigenous.

Co-founder and CEO of non-for-profit Redfern Youth Connect Margaret Haumono said the decision came as a shock to staff and tenants like herself, after a meeting with NSWALC on Tuesday.

She said she was assured there would be “a three-year waiting process followed by an expression of interest for the fitness and aquatic centre, and that the community would get the first option at tender”.

She said staff were told on Monday they would no longer have their jobs by next week and were reportedly told to sign non-disclosure agreements.

“Staff are heartbroken. We are very angry, we were never consulted and never told this was going to happen,” she said.

Ms Haumono operates programs for about 50 high school children at the center every day.

“The ILSC has never accepted an invite to the table from the community. This [decision] is a complete disrespect and disregard to all our elders, to all the people who work on the ground every day,” she said.

“A lot of kids are going to be affected by this. We keep kids off the street and give them that space to be safe.

“I couldn’t describe what it means that it’s gone.”

A man with his back to camera holds a microphone as he speaks to a crowd of people
Heartbroken staff and community members met at the center today.(ABC News: Nakari Thorpe)

NSWALC said it had been working on the potential transfer of the NCIE and the operation of its fitness and aquatics centre.

But said “following detailed due diligence and negotiations with the ILSC, that has not been possible”.

In a joint statement, both the ILSC and NSWALC said they had worked together “in good faith” to secure the future of the centre.

“Unfortunately, we have not been able to reach agreement on terms for ongoing support of the organisation, and as a result it will close.”

A group of people sit on chairs inside a basketball court
The ILSC had owned the site since 2006.(ABC News: Nakari Thorpe)

NSWALC chair Danny Chapman said a process would be opened to secure “a suitable third-party” to manage the fitness and aquatic center on the site.

He said the improvement of the property itself is a significant undertaking, and NSWALC would be focusing efforts on the future of the site.

The ILSC purchased the site, where Redfern Public School had operated for over 100 years, in 2006.

A man stands in front of Redfern's The Block.
Shane Phillips runs youth programs with local police at the center. (ABC News: Ursula Malone)

Tribal Warrior Aboriginal Corporation chief executive Shane Phillips runs multiple prison diversionary and youth programs with local police at the center.

He said community input was vital for the future success of the centre.

“We don’t want to be diluted here, we want to create economic empowerment — independence — so that the model is sustainable,” he said.

“That place has been one that everyone uses, young and old, and it’s about healing, it’s about investing. We as a community should not be the ones that suffer.”

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Former Canberra Rebels bikie boss Ali Bilal jailed over expletive-laden threatening phone calls

Former Canberra Rebels bikie boss Ali Bilal jailed over expletive-laden threatening phone calls

The former boss of the Canberra Rebels bikie club has been jailed over a series of phone conversations, riddled with expletives, during which he threatened to hurt several people.

Ali Bilal, 50, pleaded guilty to five charges relating to using a carriage service to harass or threaten serious harm after the conversations were captured in telephone intercepts.

In one conversation played to the ACT Magistrates Court, he told a woman he was trying to contact someone and wanted her to arrange the meeting, ignoring the woman’s pleas to listen to her.

“Get him to meet me. That’s it,” Bilal screamed into the phone.

“I’m gonna f*** him, his mother, his father. I’m not gonna leave anybody tonight,” Bilal told her.

In another conversation, Bilal asked a man who had angered him where he was.

“We’ll just come to you now,” he said.

“Forget the bulls***.

“We’ll come to the site where you are now and we’ll deal with you in public in front of everybody to finally make a statement in this town.

“I’m happy to go to jail for it. Let’s not f*** around anymore.”

Chief Magistrate Lorraine Walker said the conversations revealed a grandiose and alarming attitude and displayed “manipulative aggression”.

But she noted Bilal had said he never intended to carry out the threats.

Chief Magistrate Walker said Bilal had also expressed some remorse in his pre-sentence report, although she said that he should be qualified.

“He has not demonstrated contrition in any practical sense,” she said.

The court heard that Bilal had left the Rebels, although Chief Magistrate Walker said that news was also “received with some skepticism” given Bilal’s long association with gangs.

Chief Magistrate Walker said some of the conversations may have been driven by some kind of perverted form of moral authority.

But she said there was no other option but to send him to jail.

Bilal has been sentenced to 13 months in prison, but that will be suspended after four months.

He will also have to sign an 18-month supervision order.

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Billionaire Clive Palmer, WA Premier Mark McGowan to learn their fates in defamation verdict

Billionaire Clive Palmer, WA Premier Mark McGowan to learn their fates in defamation verdict

“The publications themselves are, it seems to me, highly unlikely to change very settled views about these men.”

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Defamation trials are supposed to restore the reputation of complainants, but this one apparently had the opposite effect on anyone who sat in the witness box.

Palmer gave extraordinary testimony during his cross-examination that he thought the “anti-Palmer” legislation gave McGowan a James Bond-style “licence to kill”, and led him to fear for his life.

McGowan’s lawyers ridiculed that statement but McGowan himself was forced to sit through an uncomfortable cross-examination.

Palmer’s lawyers went through text messages between McGowan and WA Attorney-General John Quigley in 2020 in excruciating detail.

The texts exposed locker room talk between the pair as they derived Palmer’s weight, describing him as a “big fat liar,” a “turd,” and “the fat man.”

The texts also offered a glimpse into McGowan’s relationship with media mogul Kerry Stokes.

A text message chain revealed McGowan alerted Stokes to the anti-Palmer legislation one minute before it was read into WA Parliament in 2020.

“Kerry, we’ve just introduced legislation to block a claim by Clive Palmer against the state of WA for $28 billion… The risk is too great… obviously he won’t be happy. I’ll call to discuss,” the message to Stokes read.

In the next three days, front pages on Stokes’ newspaper TheWest australian depicted Palmer as Dr Evil, a cockroach, and a cane toad.

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Stokes congratulated the premier and joked that the newspaper’s depiction of Palmer as a cockroach could be sold as an item for his WA-based charity.

“Mark, well done,” Stokes texted. “I think no one else could have achieved that legislation in the speed you did. Reckon the insect heads should make a Telethon sales item. People are with you!”

Quigley did not escape a cringeworthy cross-examination either.

He was forced to fly back to Sydney in April at taxpayers’ expense to redo his evidence after admitting mistakes in his earlier testimony.

Quigley was a veteran criminal lawyer before entering parliament, but Lee tore into his effort as a witness, describing his evidence as “all over the shop”.

The blunders prompted questions from the WA opposition over Quigley’s ability for his ministerial role.

The defamation bid is one of several legal challenges Mr Palmer has pursued against the WA premier since 2020, including a failed bid in the High Court to have the state’s hard border closure deemed unconstitutional.

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Tocal queen bees to be moved as varroa mite red zone expands to include breeding program site

A queen bee among hundreds of bees on a hive frame.

The New South Wales Agriculture Minister says as many queen bees as possible will be moved from a newly expanded varroa mite eradication zone to protect a national bee breeding program.

Varroa mite, which has devastated bee colonies around the world, has been detected at Butterwick, less than 10 kilometers from Tocal Agricultural College in the NSW Hunter region.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries-run college houses the national honey bee genetic improvement program, which supports beekeepers across the country.

The latest varroa mite detection takes the state’s total to 59, but Agriculture Minister Dugald Saunders has stressed that the mite has not been found at Tocal itself.

“[It] does not have infected hives — they’ve been monitored very regularly, but it does now fall within one of those red zones, so it is in an eradication zone,” he said.

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Mr Saunders said while the nearby detection was unfortunate but not completely unexpected, with 16,000 hives now having been inspected.

Mr Saunders said protocols had been developed over the past month to safeguard and move “some really, really high-value bee genetics that are housed at Tocal”.

“It will be as many as is feasible without feeling like we’re putting anyone else at risk,” he said.

“It’s not exactly formalized yet, but it would essentially mean that there would be a process where some bees could be moved in a small group, as in the queen bee with some of her nurse bees.

“[This would be achieved] by individually inspecting each and every one of those to make sure that they’re free of varroa mite and then moving them in a restricted space … to somewhere else to try and maintain those genetics.

“That would also include other queen bee breeders in that area.”

A blue sign in the middle of a paddock reads "bee research and training center" with an arrow in its direction.
The bee breeding program at Tocal plays a significant role across the country.(ABC Upper Hunter: Bridget Murphy)

‘bump in the road’

The aim of the national bee breeding program is to refine genetics and make bees more productive and less susceptible to disease, within Australia’s “unique environment”.

Elizabeth Frost, the technical specialist who co-manages the Plan Bee program, says the operation could be rebuilt if bees need to be eradicated for the greater good of the industry.

“We’re in a critical time in the response where it’s still possible to eradicate this pest and we need to give it our all to make that happen, because it’s the most globally damaging pest for honey bees,” she said.

“Even if the Tocal Plan Bee program can’t go ahead… it’s still represented around the nation.

“In the past few years of running this program we have developed the national database and the data we’ve generated from this population, and also genotyping … will live on beyond this population in the red zone.

“I couldn’t be more proud than that.”

Mr Saunders said the origin of the varroa mite outbreak was still under investigation and said the situation was “a small little bump in the road of genetic research”.

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Hollywood actor Dev Patel spotted at scene of Adelaide stabbing

Hollywood actor Dev Patel spotted at scene of Adelaide stabbing

Hollywood actor Dev Patel has been spotted at the scene of a stabbing in Adelaide’s CBD.

Patel, known for his roles in Slumdog Millionaire and Lion, and who lives in Adelaide with his Australian girlfriend, was captured by 7NEWS cameras speaking with police after witnessing the incident on Gouger Street just after 8.45pm on Monday.

Emergency services had been called to the area following reports of a man and woman fighting in the street.

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The couple continued fighting inside a nearby service station where witnesses attempted to break up the fight.

The woman then allegedly stabbed the man in the chest.

Actor Dev Patel is seen talking with police after the incident. Credit: 7NEWS
Police attend the incident in Gouger Street. Credit: 7NEWS

A 32-year-old Glengowrie man was treated at the scene by ambulance officers before being taken to the Royal Adelaide Hospital.

His injuries are not considered life-threatening. The 34-year-old woman from Park Holme was arrested at the scene.

The pair are known to each other, with South Australia Police saying the incident was not random.

The woman was charged with aggravated assault causing harm and has been refused bail.

She was to appear in the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

Cast Armie Hammer, Tilda Cobham-Hervey and Dev Patel during a media call ahead of the Hotel Mumbai Australian Premiere on October 10, 2018 in Adelaide, Australia. Credit: James Elsby/Getty Images

Patel’s girlfriend, Adelaide-born actress Tilda Cobham-Hervey, starred alongside him in his 2018 film Hotel Mumbai.

Princess Charlotte speaks in rare family video.

Princess Charlotte speaks in rare family video.

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Michael Gunner’s office broken into in ‘personal’ attack days after resignation

Michael Gunner's office broken into in 'personal' attack days after resignation

The Northern Territory’s former chief minister Michael Gunner’s electorate office has been broken into days after he quit politics, in what he has described as the latest in a series of “personal” attacks.

According to NT Police, a 47-year-old man was arrested over the alleged unlawful entry and criminal damage of Mr Gunner’s office in the Darwin suburb of Parap.

Police received reports just after 4am this morning that a man had broken in and caused “extensive damage”.

“It was a very personal break in targeting photos of me and items of personal importance to me,” Mr Gunner — who stood down from his role as Member for Fannie Bay last week — said in a social media post.

“We’ll take advice from the police on what our next steps may need to be to keep my family safe.”

A broken window pane with posters attached to it leans against a metal pole.
A 47-year-old man is expected to be charged over the break-in. (ABC News: Janus Gibson)

Mr Gunner said the break-in was the latest in a series of targeted incidents against him.

“This appears to be a continuation of behavior from a range of fixed individuals that has seen a number of incidents not limited to my family abused, filmed and our personal address revealed,” he said.

The alleged offender was arrested a short time after the break-in, with charges expected to be laid later today.

A man in a navy suit with blue tie speaking at a lecture, two seated people watching in background
Michael Gunner believes a break-in at his electorate office was a ‘personal’ attack. (ABC New: Che Chorley)

Chief Minister Natasha Fyles also described the incident as a personal attack.

“Michael put his hand up and served our community for 14 years, he deserves now to have the opportunity to spend time with his family and feel safe in doing so,” she said.

“Sadly it’s something [safety] that all of us as members of parliament do consider.”

By-choice race heats up

Mr Gunner announced his resignation from politics in a speech to parliament last week, sparking a by-election in the seat of Fannie Bay, which has been held by several former chief ministers.

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Queensland police offer $500,000 reward for missing Rockhampton woman Michelle Lewis

Old, close-up photo of a smiling woman with dark, shoulder-length hair.

Police have announced a $500,000 reward for information relating to the 1989 disappearance of central Queensland woman Michelle Lewis in a bid to generate new leads.

Ms Lewis was last seen alive riding her bike in Rockhampton 33 years ago.

Senior Detective Sergeant Tara Kentwell said it was hoped the renewed appeal for information would solve the cold case.

“Despite extensive investigations at the time and since, Michelle has never been located, nor has her bike, and police now strongly suspect she was murdered around the time she disappeared,” she said.

“We believe there are people out there with information and with this significant reward announced, now is the time for those people to reconsider 33 years of silence and come forward to police.”

Bike with white, dark red and black frame, black seat and handle bars.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive riding this bike on Stenlake Avenue on Saturday, January 14, 1989.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Lewis, then aged 21, was last seen alive riding her bike leaving a friend’s house on Stenlake Avenue, North Rockhampton, intending to ride a short distance to her home on Alexandra Street about 10.45pm on Saturday, January 14, 1989.

Former lead investigator, retired detective Ann Gumley, said the Homicide Cold Case Investigation Unit began re-examining the case in 2021.

Old black and white photo of a woman, not smiling, dark hair, Michelle Lewis.
Homicide detectives have announced a $500,000 reward for information that solves the 1989 cold case.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

Ms Gumley said she was hopeful the reward would lead to a breakthrough.

“I spent a lot of my time as a Rockhampton police officer searching for Michelle and I still remain committed to seeking justice for her,” Ms Gumley said.

“Michelle’s family and friends deserve answers, so if you know something, please come forward.”

Pink tie-dyed tank top with yellow letters that spell SURF.
Michelle Lewis was last seen alive wearing this pink shirt, riding her bike in North Rockhampton.(Supplied: Queensland Police Service)

The state government reward is for information that leads to the conviction of a person or people responsible for Michelle’s suspected murder.

The appeal has been made as part of National Missing Persons Week.

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Palaszczuk tells Dreamworld to ‘do the right thing’ after $2.7m in koala research funding spent on roller-coaster

Two people in giant koala costumes stand waving their arms in front of a globe that reads "Dreamworld".

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has called on Dreamworld to “do the right thing” and invest in koala research after the theme park spent $2.7 million in government funding on a roller-coaster instead of conservation work.

Last week Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe confirmed that Dreamworld asked to repurpose the money for the new ride in early 2020 and that the request was approved.

Announced in 2019, Dreamworld’s Future Lab was to become Queensland’s first genome research facility for native animals and was designed to boost conservation efforts against threats to koalas like chlamydia.

Today Ms Palaszczuk said Dreamworld should put its own money back into the Future Lab project.

“The tourism department gave money, through grants, to places like Dreamworld to expand their offerings to the public,” she said.

“We had COVID and we weren’t having the international tourists and only domestic tourism was starting up again, so they chose to rechannel that money into another item.

“I’m hoping Dreamworld will now do the right thing and invest their money into that project.”

LNP environment spokesperson Sam O’Connor said while Dreamworld’s reputation has been tarnished “a little bit”, the government’s approach had “no transparency about it”.

Dreamworld has been contacted for comment.

Koala rests its head between tree branches.
The Opposition says the government should have ensured that Dreamworld followed through with the conservation project.(ABC Open: getoutandwalk)

Conditions needed, opposition says

Mr Hinchliffe told an estimates hearing last Tuesday that Dreamworld requested to repurpose the money for the new ride in early 2020.

“In view of the Future Lab project being placed on hold, the Queensland government approved that the funding previously approved for the research facility be repurposed to support the construction of the new ride, taking into consideration the immediate impacts of the pandemic and the appeal of new tourism offers likely to attract returning domestic visitors and international tourists when borders reopened,” he said.

Mr O’Connor said the government should have insisted Dreamworld proceed with the research project at a later date.

“The government approved that money being put into the roller-coaster,” he said.

“How did they not have some sort of condition on that, at a future time when Dreamworld was in a better financial position, they go ahead with the project that they originally agreed to?

“It was completely ridiculous that it had to come out through this process and there was absolutely no transparency about it.”

In a statement issued last week, a Dreamworld spokesperson said the Future Lab remained “on hold” and that $3.5m had been raised for animal conservation through its foundation.

An aerial shot of a greenfield site beneath a clear sky.
Hundreds of hectares at the Greenridge site will be set aside for conservation.(Supplied: Queensland government)

Major conservation acquisition

Meanwhile, the state government has announced 400 hectares of land at Pimpama’s Greenridge site will be conserved as koala habitat in order to offset land being cleared for the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector highway.

The state government has spent $126m on the Coomera Connector so far.

Sixty-eight koalas have been identified as living in the Greenridge area.

“It adds to our $24.6m commitment in this year’s budget to restore koala habitat, reduce the threat to koalas in targeted hotspots and deliver innovative research,” Environment Minister Meaghan Scanlon said.

“As part of the project, more than 700 hectares within the stage one corridor has been surveyed to monitor the area’s koala population.

“There are currently 128 koalas being monitored in the program and more than 600 health checks have been carried out.”

Mr O’Connor welcomed the acquisition, saying “you can’t downplay it”.

“This is basically the size of the current developed area of ​​Pimpama, which is one of our fastest growing suburbs,” he said.

Negotiations between the City of Gold Coast and Greenridge’s previous private owners have been protracted and were subject to a Supreme Court judicial review last December.

The ABC understands the site was purchased by the state government from the Kornhauser family in July, with the sale price commercial-in-confidence.

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