The contract was signed on June 29,the day beforea media release was distributed referring to the state’s “$7.1 billion Queensland Train Manufacturing Program”.
However,it has emerged both Bailey’s office and that of Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk,in whose name the media release was jointly attributed,were aware the actual cost had been revised to $9.5 billion.
The $9.5 billion figure was also published on the Transport and Main Roads website the day of the release from the ministers’ political offices.
Bailey has apologised for what he called an oversight in his office. The figure in the media release was incorrect,he said,because of staff error due to the draft being written before the contract was finalised.
“We did not have a final contract figure until the 29th of June,because negotiations were continuing,” he told estimates on Tuesday.
“So we did not have a figure and therefore,that’s why that was taken out so that in case the numbers shifted,that would be correctly inserted.”