[Greens-Media] Victoria Road upgrade: Greens force release of secret papers

[Alison Orme]

Greens MP Lee Rhiannon Media Release 2 April 2008

Victoria Road upgrade: Greens force release of secret papers

Greens MP and roads spokesperson Lee Rhiannon was successful today in gaining support from NSW Parliament to release a report by Sir Laurence Street that assesses whether Victoria Road Upgrade papers marked 'not to be released' by the Roads Minister should be made public.

"The Roads Minister Eric Roozendaal has marked key documents relating to the Victoria Road Upgrade Project as 'privileged' to avoid proper scrutiny, so I asked Sir Laurence Street to report on whether they should be in the public domain," Ms Rhiannon said.

"NSW MPs have approved the release of Sir Laurence Street's report later today. 

"The cost benefit analysis for the proposed Victoria Road upgrade project is no-where to be seen and the Greens hope these secret papers will provide some illumination.

"The government attempted to keep papers relating to the Cross City Tunnel deal secret, and now it's has tried to do the same for the Victoria Road Upgrade.

"This government likes to cook up road projects while keeping residents and commuters in the dark about the deals done behind the scenes to secure them.

"The 2003 Parry Report into Sustainable Transport recommended that all infrastructure projects be developed after rigorous cost benefit analysis.

"It is time the government stopped conducting Mickey Mouse consultations with the public as we've seen with the Victoria Road Upgrade project.

"The public have a right to know the full details of what their taxes are being spent on.

"Information is the key to achieving healthy debate about major infrastructure decisions.
  
"The Greens believe the Victoria Road Upgrade project should be scrapped in favour of sustainable and reliable public transport.

"In an age of peak oil, new motorway projects like these are destined to become very expensive white elephants," Ms Rhiannon said.

For more information:  Lee Rhiannon - 9230 3551, 0427 861 568 


Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Wed-Fri)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au