No fast-tracking

Isla Macgregor, Marion Nicklason

If Bartlett is, in his own words, a “democratist” he would be insisting that the Tasmanian people be consulted and allowed to fully participate in the process. This means state wide education about the issues and debate about mechanisms necessary to support open and ethical government.
No Fast Tracking of the Inquiry of State Significance

Media Release
Date: 23rd June 2008
From: Alliance for Healthy Governance

An alliance of organisations, community activists and members of the public is calling on the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct to prevent fast tracking of the Inquiry seen as significant to the State of Tasmania.

The date for the public to submit to the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct was advertised in major papers around the State on Saturday. The Alliance believes that an extension to the submission date of 18th July and state wide public forums and discussion meetings are vital for the Inquiry to be democratic.

The Alliance Strategy Think Tank yesterday identified many issues related to governance requiring broad community debate. These included constitutional and legislative reform, the need for international best practice anti-corruption models and the importance of grass roots involvement. It was agreed that the Tasmanian public deserves legislative systems and processes to protect the public interest.

If Bartlett is, in his own words, a “democratist” he would be insisting that the Tasmanian people be consulted and allowed to fully participate in the process. This means state wide education about the issues and debate about mechanisms necessary to support open and ethical government.

Jean Panton, a concerned community member stated “it is essential that everybody should have the opportunity to be involved.”

Penny Parish continued with: “We would like the State Government to invite all local councils to provide forums for their citizens to discuss issues of ethical governance.”

A representative from the East Coast stated that “the rural Tasmanians do not want to be excluded from participation in this important community discussion. They live in regional areas far from the recent public forums and petrol prices are further disadvantaging them.”

The Alliance calls on the Joint Select Committee to extend the submission date and ensure that extensive public participation occurs. If the Pulpmill could have a State wide advertising bus tour, then why not one for the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct?

Groups represented included Tasmanians for Transparency, Whistleblowers Tasmania, Future Tasmania and Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy.

Spokespersons:
Isla Macgregor – Alliance Convenor
Marion Nicklason – Convenor Tasmanians for a Healthy Democracy