[Greens-Media] Greens say no container port at Hastings - Pennicuik

[Amanda.Sharp at parliament.vic.gov.au]

Greens say no container port at Hastings

Friday 30 May 2014

The Greens do not support the establishment of a container port at 
Hastings on Westernport Bay. 

Greens MLC Sue Pennicuik says the state government is trying to avoid 
environmental protection laws in pushing through its Hastings Port 
proposal. 

"The Major Transport Projects Facilitation Act, which was introduced by 
the Labor government, is a way for governments to avoid proper scrutiny of 
the environmental and social impacts of their favourite transport 
projects," Ms Pennicuik said.

"The Facilitation Act is a way for the state government to avoid complying 
with Victoria's environmental laws.* 

"There has been no public business case to justify construction of a new 
port, versus the option of greater efficiency in existing facilities.

"Both Labor and Liberal plan to sell a long term lease over the Port of 
Melbourne rather than keep it in public ownership and improve its 
operations. 

"We should instead improve efficiency in the way freight is being handled 
through ports and in the wider transport system," Ms Pennicuik said. 

For further comment: Sue Pennicuik ? 0409 055 875

* The state government must 'have regard to' but not comply with the laws 
listed in the schedule to the Act 
http://www.austlii.edu.au/au/legis/vic/num_act/mtpfa200956o2009456/sch1.html
http://www.premier.vic.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/10068-port-of-hastings-expansion-is-declared-under-the-major-transport-projects-facilitation-ac.html





///////************************************************************///////////////



Parliament of Victoria                                                                                                                    . 

Important Disclaimer Notice:





The information contained in this email  including any attachments, may be 

confidential and/or privileged. If you are not the intended recipient, please 

notify the sender and delete it from  your system. Any unauthorised 

disclosure, copying or dissemination of all or part of this email, including 

any attachments, is not permitted. This email, including any attachments, should 

be dealt with in accordance with copyright and  privacy legislation. 

Except where otherwise stated, views expressed are those of the individual sender.