Even in the best of times it would be foolish to spend $30 million on Premier House.
It wasn't designed for its current use and the restrictions on modifying a listed historic house would make it impossible to do what is required to make it fit for purpose.
It would also be a very long and expensive process.
The Taxpayers' Union has a better suggestion:
The Taxpayers' Union is calling for all options to be on the table in terms of having a Premier house fit for purpose. Taxpayers' Union Campaigns Manager, Connor Molloy, said:
"Even fiscal hawks would agree that we need a Premier residence suitable to host dignitaries. But a $30 million price tag for repairs to the current Premier House is excessive.
"We can't have yet another situation where 'historic building' zealots are allowed a blank cheque to do up a cruddy building, when a new one would be better value for money. Nor should taxpayers be tied to the status quo. Premier House used to be out in the Hutt. If finding a new location and building for the Prime Minister to live in and host events offers better value for money, then so be it.
"But the status quo is unacceptable. Right now, taxpayers pay for a Premier House, but it's not in a fit state for the PM to use it. The more dithering, the more this is costing."
I've been to several functions in Premier House, the last time more than nine years ago and it was tired and inconvenient then. It won't have improved in the mean time and no matter how much is spent it still wouldn't be as good as it needs to be.
There are some parks in the grounds but security stops most people using them and it's difficult to find alternative parking near by.
It would be better to sell the building and either buy or build something better, something up to the standard required for the Prime Minister of the day to live in and to host visitors.
The historic status of Premier House will protect it from demolition and extensive remodelling. It will also limit the pool of would-be buyers which could reduce the price the government gets.
But selling and either buying or opting for a purpose built alternative would be less expensive and result in something far better than repairing and refurbishing it.
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