Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs “If they’re doing that to us, that says that the whole payment of compensation is cloaked in over-the-top secrecy,” he said.Williams denied such agreements served to protect governments from scrutiny. “I disagree with that assessment. I think that’s somewhat cynical.”Asked whether the use of such deals should be reviewed, Williams said it was important to work with people on a case-by-case basis.“I think it would be a poor outcome if we were to move to a one-size-fits-all approach to addressing people’s concerns,” she said.The North East Link, which is due to open in 2028, will connect the M80 in Greensborough to the Eastern Freeway in Bulleen. The cost of the project exploded from an initial forecast of $10 billion to $26 billion, which the state government has blamed on the rising cost of materials, labour and environmental regulations.Matthew Guy, the state Liberal member for Bulleen, has criticised the project for forcing residents whose houses were cracked during construction to sign confidentiality agreements.Federal Liberal MP Keith Wolahan, whose seat covers the construction area, said the number of secrecy agreements linked to the project was ridiculous. “From the very first meeting two years ago, that was what surprised me most: the number of people who got up and said that [they were subjected to gag orders to get repairs],” he said.“Others said, ‘I have to be careful what I say’. And I knew that for every person who said it, there were many that felt scared to say they even had one.” The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here.
