Koala SEPP: NSW MP accused of lobbying on behalf of party donors
With the Coalition divided over its controversial koala policy, another Nationals MP is facing accusations he passed on concerns about the SEPP from party donors. FIND OUT MORE
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A Nationals MP raised concerns about the controversial koala policy on behalf of a prominent North Coast family involved in property finance and law.
While it is appropriate for MPs to making representations on behalf of constituents, Labor has raised concerns about the National Party’s handling of the issue.
Many Liberals have also claimed the Nationals opposition to the policy is more about protecting developer interests than farming.
As the debate over the policy took a dramatic turn on Friday with Nationals leader John Barilaro taking a month off to deal with mental health issues, Labor stepped up its pursuit of the Nationals with a call for papers to unveil who has been lobbying for whom.
A Nationals source confirmed to The Sunday Telegraph that Stephen Bromhead had passed on concerns with the policy on behalf of the “Stack” family.
The Stack family, who is not accused of any wrongdoing, is involved in both property finance and law, running both Stacks Law Firm and Stacks Finance.
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While not directly commenting on any representations he may have made, Mr Bromhead, who spoke against the SEPP in state parliament last week, said he stood by his criticisms of the “flawed” policy.
“We’re told to trust the science but the science is misrepresented,” he said.
“And of the course the maps are a joke. They’re meant to be based on science but they include buildings, roads, jacarandas, camphor laurels and many more examples of areas that are clearly not suitable koala habitat.
“As an old lawyer and detective, I always like to look behind the science and what’s been presented is flawed and misrepresented.”
Various members of the Stack family have donated to the Nationals at different times over the years, with amounts totalling around $30,000, according to the NSW Electoral Commission records.
Ray Stack, a director at Stacks Finance and a property law specialist who is also involved with Stacks Law Firm, said he personally did not lobby Mr Bromhead.
However, he said the SEPP posed an enormous cost to property owners while potentially impacting developments.
“I think the intentions are good. We all love koalas. Tourists love koalas. But the way it is draconian. The problem is, if you have any trees on your property, you have to pay someone to do a koala plan of management,” he said.
“From our experience, there has been very little consultation. It just seems like overkill.”
As for the potential impact on development, Mr Stack said now was not the time to stopping projects that could create jobs to keep the economy going.
“Everyone hates developers, but they provide so much work for everyone, from the tilers, the brickies, kitchen people, bathroom people,” he said.
The policy is set to be debated in Cabinet on October 6.
Originally published as Koala SEPP: NSW MP accused of lobbying on behalf of party donors