Planning Minister Roger Jaensch demands Labor support contentious bill
The state government has doubled down on threats to vote down its own Major Projects Bill if it is amended too much by the Upper House. LATEST >>
Tasmania
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LABOR says there is something “stinky” about the governments resistance to inserting anti-corruption measures in the Major Projects Bill.
Planning Minister Roger Jaensch says the government will vote against its own legislation if it comes back from the Legislative Council with amendments.
Labor wants to prevent developers who make political donations from being able to have their project nominated by a minister to be assessed under the major project laws.
It came after Premier Peter Gutwein said reforming the state’s notoriously lax politican donations laws was not high on his agenda.
Labor leader Rebecca White said the government's stance was inexplicable.
“The government is saying they won’t accept Labour’s amendment and they’re also saying that they haven’t even turned their mind to donation disclosure reform,” she said.
“This is very stinky business. The government should have nothing to hide here.
“They should be willing to be transparent about who they’re receiving donations from and particularly when it comes to major projects legislation, being transparent about whether or not donations have been received from developers.
“It is entirely appropriate that Tasmanians have transparency about proponents and projects that are put forward under major projects legislation and whether any donations have been received by the government.”
Greens Planning spokeswoman Rosalie Woodruff said demands on the Upper House could breach the law.
“It is a crime under Section 70 [of the Criminal Code Act] to threaten or interfere with the duties of a member when they’re making decisions,” she said.
“He has clearly attempted to do so with his words where he has said he will refuse a bill, he will torpedo the bill if it comes back to the low house with any amendments at all.”
Mr Jaesnch yesterday demanded Labor back the legislation, while groups opposing the bill underscored their concerns about the potential for conflicts of interest.
“We believe they should do what they told the people they would do and support the Major Projects Bill, as it is with their amendments in it from the House of Assembly, and not make further changes now that could both derail this bill and have serious implications for the broader Tasmanian planning system,” he said.
“The last thing Tasmania needs right now is more uncertainty of any kind, but particularly in our planning system
He dismissed concerns that developers who were political donors could seek favours under the legislation.
“Donations rules don’t belong in this debate on this bill. They are about political donations reforms and that’s a separate conversation that’s going to be had by our parliament,” he said.
Sophie Underwood from Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania said the legislation was flawed.
“We urge all Upper House members to support amendments which improve the Bill and ignore the anti-democratic threats of the Government,” she said.
The Director of Election Funding Reform Tasmania Roland Browne also said amendments were vitally important.
“We cannot have a situation where a major project is effectively a party fundraiser for the government of the day,” he said.
“Donations from property developers are banned in NSW and Queensland. Tasmania should follow suit.”
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