Anita Dow MP, Labor Member for Braddon, 25 August 2020
Labor’s amendments to Major Projects Legislation focus on transparency
Labor’s proposed amendments to the Major Projects Legislation would result in greater transparency and keep the politics out of planning.
Shadow Minister for Local Government and Planning, Anita Dow, said Labor’s amendments come after close consultation with the community.
“Labor has been contacted by a large number of people in the community concerned over the Major Projects Legislation and we have listened and responded with several proposed amendments,” Ms Dow said.
“We don’t believe the current planning process is perfect and therefore support the principle of the proposed reforms, but we want to see enhanced appeal rights and greater transparency regarding the political donations made by proponents.
“We also want to ensure two of the three members of the Major Projects assessment panels will be members of the Tasmanian Planning Commission and that there will be an independent review of the legislation after five years.
“While the Major Projects Legislation is valid, it is going to take a lot more than this to create jobs in Tasmania.
“Unlike the Government, Labor has a clear plan to get Tasmanians into jobs as outlined in our COVID-19 Recovery Package.”
Media release – John Tucker, Liberal Member for Lyons, 25 August 2020
Labor back in bed with the Greens in Major Projects legislation flip-flop
Labor have proven, once again, that given half a chance they will do a deal with the Greens.
This time, before the debate had even started, they’ve caved into the Greens and announced their intention to water down support for our important Major Projects legislation.
This is a disappointing, yet entirely expected response and comes despite Labor indicating every day in the lead up to Parliament that they supported the legislation.
The legislation is vitally needed and will provide certainty and create jobs when they are needed most in our recovery from COVID-19.
Labor’s amendments will do the opposite and will simply stifle the process with more unnecessary green tape.
It is clear that at every step, Labor pretends to care about jobs and development, only to cave to the Greens and their ideological allies at the first sign of disagreement.
It also explains Labor’s fake manufactured outrage on Thursday night against the Greens, which is now exposed as yet another fake divorce before renewing their marriage vows this week.
As we continue to recover from COVID-19, the evidence is clear that Tasmania simply cannot afford to go back to the job-destroying instability of the Labor-Green days.
Media release – Rosalie Woodruff MP | Greens Planning spokesperson, 25 August 2020
Major Projects Submissions Withheld from Legislators
The Minister for Planning confirmed in parliament today that a large number of public submissions made on the Land Use Planning and Approvals Amendment (Major Projects) Bill are being withheld from scrutiny by legislators. This is despite the fact the Bill is being debated today.
When questioned by the Greens in Parliament, Minister Jaensch seemed unconcerned that 206 submissions have not been uploaded to the Department’s website – including those from Residents Opposed to the Cable Car, and members of the East Coast Alliance who spoke out against the Cambria Green mega-development.
Department of Justice staff confirmed that 1755 people made submissions during the consultation for the controversial Major Projects Bill, but only 1549 of these have been published on the department’s website.
Of the 1549 that have been published, 98% explicitly oppose the Bill. Less than 1% of submissions, just 12, are in support – most from organisations with a vested interest.
Minister Jaensch is ultimately responsible for the management of this legislation.
As it stands, the views of 206 people have been withheld from consideration in the parliamentary debate on this controversial Bill. This is emblematic of the legislation itself.
The Major Projects legislation attacks the fundamental principles of our state’s planning system, and is a recipe for the corrupted fast-tracking of major projects. We will not be supporting the Bill, and we hope the Labor Party will do the same.
