New planning minister recuses herself from projects linked to lobbyist brother

Victoria’s new planning minister has recused herself from any project involving her lobbyist brother to avoid a conflict of interest with his construction and development clients after a weeks-long headache for the government on integrity.

Premier Daniel Andrews appointed Planning Minister Lizzie Blandthorn last month in a cabinet reshuffle, unsettling senior government and Labor insiders given her brother, John-Paul Blandthorn, is a director of Labor-linked lobbying firm Hawker Britton.

New planning minister Lizzie Blandthorn and (inset) her brother, John-Paul Blandthorn, a director of Labor-linked lobbying firm Hawker Britton.Credit: AAP

The firm’s clients include many prominent property and infrastructure companies, among them developers such as Dennis Family Corporation, Intrapac and Caydon; construction giant John Holland in its role building the West Gate Tunnel; and prominent planning firm Tract.

Another major Hawker Britton client is AS Residential Property No.1 Pty Ltd, an offshoot of Australia’s biggest superannuation fund, Australian Super, which is awaiting a ministerial decision on its controversial proposal to redevelop the Kingswood golf course in Melbourne’s south-east. The scheme, which includes 800 new houses, is opposed by residents; the local federal MP, Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus; and the Kingston council.

Weeks after The Age first revealed the conflict, a government spokeswoman on Thursday night confirmed an alternative minister would be appointed to handle any project involving Hawker Britton.

“Hawker Britton has been advised that the minister for planning will exclude herself from any planning decision-making that involves or mentions a client of Hawker Britton,” a government spokeswoman said.

There will be no contact between the firm and the minister, her office, or the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning on any planning matter.

“The minister looks forward to continuing to work with local communities to deliver the best planning outcomes for Victorians,” the spokeswoman said.

The alternative minister, who is yet to be confirmed, would still have no contact with the firm on planning matters to avoid any perception of a conflict, preventing the firm from dealing with the government on its clients’ projects.

However, the government refused to release the actual plan for managing the potential conflict of interest on Thursday evening, including details of how it would be policed.

The Age is not suggesting there has been, or will be, any impropriety between the Blandthorn siblings, only that the minister’s appointment raises potential conflicts of interest.

Opposition planning spokesman Ryan Smith described the government’s statement as bizarre.

“At 5pm [Thursday] the government has stated that neither the minister for planning, her office or her department will have any dealing with Hawker Britton, a lobbyist represented by the minister’s brother,” Smith said.

“The government then twists itself in knots to suggest that an alternative minister will deal with issues of conflict with Hawker Britton, although they and their department also won’t be dealing with them.”

“There are a dozen portfolios that Ms Blandthorn could have been appointed to, yet Daniel Andrews, in his wisdom, gave her the one most designed to cause conflict and confusion.”

Hawker Britton managing director Simon Banks said that while his company was disappointed by the government’s response it would comply in full.

He noted that at no time had there been any implication or accusation of wrongdoing or impropriety by Hawker Britton or John-Paul Blandthorn. Banks stressed that Hawker Britton proactively raised the matter when it first arose.

“While this matter has been under consideration, minister Blandthorn and her brother have not communicated on any topic.”

The statement was released a day after a special report from the state’s integrity agencies rocked the government and prompted a pledge to create a new parliamentary watchdog to monitor the behaviour of politicians.

Centre for Public Integrity research director Dr Catherine Williams said the Blandthorn plan “looks reasonable”.

“I can’t think of any other protection that could be put in place if she is to continue as minister. But who is going to have oversight of this? I think that’s an important question.”

“Where is the transparency of this arrangement.”

Urban Development Institute of Australia Victorian chief executive Matthew Kandelaars said he was confident Blandthorn could proceed with impartiality.

“We have every confidence in the minister’s ability to deal with matters before her appropriately and impartially, and we look forward to strong engagement with the minister on all matters affecting Victoria’s future growth.”

Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis from Jacqueline Maley. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter here.