Letters 23 August, 2003

Davidson is all at sea on ships

Davidson is all at sea on ships Kenneth Davidson (Opinion, 21/8) estimates that it would cost just $22 million to charter three cruise ships for a month to house athletes for the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

The Government obtained costings from P.J. Scott and Associates, a respectable shipping broker of international standing that was involved in the delivery of cruise ship accommodation for the Sydney Olympics. The assessment provided by P.J. Scott was endorsed by a parallel exercise undertaken by Melbourne 2006, which surveyed 12 other shipping brokers. The Government's best estimate of the true cost of the cruise ship option is in the vicinity of $80-100 million.

These costs are in contrast to Mr Davidson's "back of envelope" costing of $22 million for three ships for a month. The ships would be required for at least twice that time to enable fit-out and conversions - costing more than the Games Village (the final cost to the state of the village will be $85 million, which includes $35 million of investment in social housing, and a $15 million investment in environmental initiatives). Also, Mr Davidson's figure doesn't include any upgrading of port facilities or other infrastructure needs that would be required.

Justin Madden,
Minister for the Commonwealth Games,
Melbourne