[Greens-Media] O'Farrell shuts down Upper House scrutiny

[John Kaye]

O'Farrell shuts down Upper House scrutiny
 
Media release: 31 May 2011
 
A deal stitched up between the O'Farrell government, the Christian Democrats and the Shooters and Fishers has undermined an important accountability  mechanism, according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye. ('Labor MPs snubbed in key upper house roles', SMH 31 May, p. 5, http://j.mp/smh110531P)
 
Dr Kaye said: "In an unprecedented deal, the chairs of the five Legislative General committees have been locked up between the Coalition and the conservative crossbenches.
 
"It is not just that Labor and the Greens have been shut out. The ability of these committees to expose government waste and misdealing has been savagely reduced.
 
"Coalition chairs of committees will block inquiries that might be critical of  the government.
 
"Even the two committees chaired by conservative crossbench members are less likely to be able to probe government spending and decision making.
 
"Premier Barry O'Farrell talks transparency but behind closed doors he has cut a deal to shield his government from scrutiny.
 
"When they were in Opposition, the Coalition worked with the Greens and other crossbench MPs to hold Labor to account.
 
"In the last parliament, these committees exposed the appalling gentrader power privatisation deal, the NSW Department of Education's incompetence in implementing the Building the Education Revolution and the need for more money for children with special needs children.
 
"Mr O'Farrell wants his government to have even less accountability than his Labor predecessor.
 
"The shameful deal between the Coalition and the Shooters and Fishers and the Christian Democrats shows that the O'Farrell government has no interest in openness and transparency," Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455 
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: john.kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
web: www.johnkaye.org.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000