The NSW Labor opposition continues to question the allocation of $30 million in funding for the Riverina Conservatorium of Music in Wagga, claiming most of the money was allocated without a business case.
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The 2018 funding announcement is one of many decisions made under the leadership of NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian that faces scrutiny after her secret relationship with former Wagga MP Daryl Maguire was revealed.
Labor MLC Courtney Houssos told Parliament's upper house on Tuesday that the opposition was pursuing the issue in fairness to other regions of NSW.
"We are not criticising the Riverina conservatorium ... We are certainly not disputing the right of regional NSW to have access to excellent cultural programs," she said.
"In fact, it sounds like the Riverina conservatorium had a great idea.
"But we learnt in question time that the funding was approved without a business case, with just the inside running of a grants program, and it received more money than the rest of the 18 regional conservatoria combined.
"That goes to the way the government runs grants programs in this state."
Arts Minister Don Harwin has disputed claims that the conservatorium was given unusual treatment.
"The second stage, which is the recital hall, is a separate project," he said.
"The [$20 million] funding stream for that will follow the successful outcome of a business case. It is not uncommon to commit to a project before the conclusion of the business case."
Wagga's conservatorium had a passing mention at the Independent Commission Against Corruption public hearings in allegations against Mr Maguire.
ICAC was played a phone call in which Mr Maguire told a Sydney developer he had a meeting about the conservatorium, seemingly as a way to explain how busy he was.
The developer told ICAC he did not know anything about the conservatorium.
Director of the Riverina Conservatorium, Hamish Tait, previously told The Daily Advertiser it was "frustrating" to have been brought into the unfolding saga.
"Daryl Maguire's contribution was just to tell us who we needed to speak to [and] which government agencies we needed," Mr Tait said last week.
On Tuesday, Mr Harwin also provided an answer on notice to questions about any meetings he had with Mr Maguire.
"In May 2018 I visited the Wagga electorate to attend events [including at] the Riverina Conservatorium of Music. As is the protocol for these events, the local member was invited as a courtesy. I have had no other meetings with Mr Maguire," Mr Harwin stated.
Greens MLC David Shoebridge, who is chairman of a parliamentary grants inquiry, asked Public Works Advisory and Regional Development deputy secretary at the Department of Regional NSW, Chris Hanger, about Ms Berejiklian's potential involvement.
"Are you aware whether or not a conflict of interest was ever placed on the record by the Premier, given she was in a close personal relationship with Mr Maguire?" Mr Shoebridge asked.
LIberal MLC Natalie Ward objected to the question, arguing it was not "necessary" .
Mr Hanger replied that he was "not aware that a conflict of interest declaration has been provided" but he would check the records and provide a further response on notice.
Mr Hanger said he would also supply the name of the minister who recommended the conservatorium's stage one funding.