Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek has slammed Member for New England Barnaby Joyce for his failure to release the results of the $272,000 study.
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On a tour of Armidale, Ms Plibersek said Labor would not support the relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) to Armidale without the results of the cost-benefit analysis.
But Mr Joyce has indicated that the relocation will go ahead despite the results of the analysis.
“I can't believe that you've got a government minister who commissions a report using tax payers money ... [then] he refuses to release the report,” she said.
“This is not Barnaby Joyce’s own money from his back pocket that he’s slapped down on a table to buy this cost-benefit analysis, it’s tax payers money and they have a right to know whether this is a strong proposition.
“Barnaby Joyce has presided over a shambles of a process when it comes to this proposal.”
Ms Plibersek cast doubt over the affordability of the relocation and suggested there were significant issues with the move.
“The report must show that there are problems with the proposal, including the potential of losing experienced staff,” she said.
“I think it’s absolutely vital that before such a big decision is made Barnaby Joyce shows people the evidence of why it should be considered.”
Labor will support the move if evidence suggested it would be financially viable and beneficial to the Armidale community.
“We’ve been told we’ll lose experienced scientific staff if it goes ahead ... it is a real worry that this is a critical function and it must be done with experienced staff,” Ms Plibersek said.
“If Barnaby Joyce is genuine about wanting to make the move, let him make the case publicly by releasing the cost-benefit analysis that shows that this is a great idea.”
Mr Joyce has indicated that the relocation would go ahead despite the results of the analysis.
“The relocation of the APVMA is an election promise and it's a rock solid commitment commitment, there's $21.4 million on the table to help with the relocation,” a spokesperson for Barnaby Joyce said.
“People should be asking Ms Plibersek what economic opportunities she has in line for Armidale.” The agriculture department has already begun scouting for potential office locations in Armidale.
