[Greens-Media] McCloy High Court challenge a threat to NSW political integrity

[John Kaye]

McCloy High Court challenge a threat to NSW political integrity

Media release: 31 July 2014

The Greens NSW are concerned that Premier Mike Baird will fail to vigorously oppose Newcastle Mayor and developer Jeff McCloy's High Court challenge to the ban on developer donations.

Greens NSW MP John Kaye said, "The Mayor of Newcastle wants to take NSW back to the bad old days when developers were able to purchase approvals and laws that fattened up their profits at the expense of local communities.

"If the Baird Government fails to vigorously defend these laws, it will be very clear they are colluding with Jeff McCloy to reopen the doors of NSW politics to large scale influence peddling.

"As NSW heads to an election in which corruption and donations will be key issues, the Baird government's performance in defending these laws before the High Court will become a test of the Premier's resolution to clean up NSW.

"The Coalition's hostility to the ban is already on the record.

"Premier Baird should put the integrity of state politics and the ability of communities to defend themselves from predatory developers ahead of his party's appetite for donation dollars.

"Developer donations pose a direct threat to the state's political process. When they were legal they undermined the planning system and robbed communities of their local neighbourhood amenity and open space.

"Months of ICAC revelations have exposed banned donors rorting the system. If the ban were lifted, the influence peddling would have an even greater impact on communities and the environment.

"While the High Court will have the final say on the constitutional validity of these laws, their continued operation is clearly in the public interest.

"Allegations against Mr McCloy will be heard in ICAC next week. If he is found to have breached the ban on developer donations, his High Court challenge will look very much like a self-serving attempt to rescue his own reputation.

"This state is already struggling to reduce the impacts of corruption. Reopening the floodgates of developer donations will only make the task more difficult," Dr Kaye said.

For more information: John Kaye 0407 195 455


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John Kaye
Greens NSW MP

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