‘Tanks claim just rubbish’

Minister of Agriculture Dr David Estwick has described as “rubbish” an accusation by Opposition Senator Kerrie Symmonds of squandermania by Government.
Following Symmonds’ claim on Thursday that Government had taken up a more costly offer of $12 million by Preconco Limited to build three concrete molasses tanks rather than Williams Industries’ proposal to build one and repair two others at a cost of $2.95 million, Estwick hit back yesterday, saying Symmonds had misrepresented the latter firm’s position.
Reading the Williams proposal yesterday, Estwick showed it to be $3.99 million to build one 12 000-metric tonne capacity steel tank, with construction cost being $3.4 million and Value Added Tax $595 000.
“Total cost [is] $3 995 000 or $4 million,” Estwick told reporters at the ministry’s Graeme Hall, Christ Church complex yesterday.