Local Democracy Weakened
Tuesday 15 August 2017
I opposed new laws to remove development decisions from councils in Sydney and Wollongong and hand them to planning panels stacked with ministerial appointees.
Despite claims that the bill is about preventing corruption, because panel members are not elected by and answerable to the community and will make decisions behind closed doors, corruption risks could increase. I told Parliament changes are really about fast tracking approvals. My speech is HERE.