[Greens-Media] (Sylvia Hale MLC) Killalea Developer A Big Donor to the ALP

[Christopher Holley]

Killalea Developer A Big Donor to the ALP
 
Electoral Office figures reveal that the international financial
services corporation Babcock and Brown, one of the companies involved in
the development of a private resort in the Killalea State Park, has
donated $143,000 to the NSW Labor Party since 2003/04. 
 
After widespread opposition from the community the government last week
released a copy of the controversial development agreement for a 200
unit resort to be built in the state park on the NSW South Coast.
 
In response to questioning from Greens MP Sylvia Hale, Lands Minister
Tony Kelly has conceded that the return to the public purse will be a
mere $13 million over the 52 year life of the proposed lease. He refused
to answer a question as to whether an independent evaluation of the
commercial value of the lease had been undertaken. 
 
“The Labor Party has done very nicely out of Babcock and Brown.
Babcock and Brown will do very nicely out of being allowed to build a
private development in a state park. Members of the community around
Killalea have every right to be concerned about a potential conflict of
interest,” said Ms Hale. 
 
“That is why I asked Minister Kelly if an independent assessment has
been done of the commercial value of the lease. He refused to answer the
question. The government has been less than transparent about this
deal,” said Ms Hale.
 
“The Greens are opposed to these sorts of developments in state
parks. State parks are public assets. They should be used only for the
benefit of the public, not be carved up for expensive private resorts”
said Ms Hale.
 
Contact: Chris Holley 02 9230 3030 / 0437 779 546