Joan Dehle-Emberg
Democracy is government by the people.
Oligarchy is despotic power exercised by a privileged clique.
WHEN decisions regarding the pulp mill are made by a powerful few, we are on the edge of oligarchy. When the selection of the Resource Planning and Development Commission remains opaque, our democracy is eroded. When answers to the following questions remain unclear, oligarchy gains power.
For example:
1. Selection of the RPDC Committee: Who selected the Committee members? Upon what basis was the selection made? What are the credentials of Committee members? Are they politically biased? Do they represent a cross section of society? By whom were they previously employed? Does previous employment compromise their position on the Committee? Does any member of the RPDC have financial or other interests in the timber or related industries?
2. Selection of Advisers to the RPDC: Who are they? Who selected them and by what process? What are their credentials and backgrounds? By whom have they been previously employed? Does any member of the Adviser panel have financial or other interests in the timber or related industries?
3. RPDC’s Recommendations: By what process does the RPDC form its recommendations? Will the general public have access to them? Will the public be given an opportunity to protest?
4. Final Decision: If the RPDC’s answer is in favour of the mill, will the final decision be made by the Governor’s rubber stamp? If the RPDC rejects any section/s of the proposal, do those making the proposal have an opportunity to revise these sections? If the RPDC rejects the whole proposal is this final or do those making the proposal have an opportunity of submitting an entirely new proposal? Does the Legislation Council have any role in making the final decision and if so, what is that role? In short, who does make the final decision?
5. Status of State Significance: Who gave the pulp mill this status and by what process? What effect does the status of State Significance have on the acceptance or rejection of the proposal? Does State Significance cut out the House of Review, or does it serve the interests of a few?
When processes of decision are kept from the people we have problems. When decisions are made by the select few we have threat. When money and power make vital decisions we have oligarchy.
So … Will the final decision on the pulp mill be made in the interests of democracy?
Or … Will the final decision be made in the interests of oligarchy?
The answer should be in the hands of the people … not in the power of the few!
