[Greens-Media] MEDIA ALERT: Press conference 10:30 tomorrow in Newcastle on Government proposals that will open up local government to further corruption risks

[David Shoebridge]

MEDIA ALERT: Press conference 10:30 tomorrow in Newcastle on Government proposals that will open up local government to further corruption risks



The NSW government is proposing legislation that will remove key anti-corruption provisions from local government tendering processes. The Local Government Amendment (Red Tape Reduction) Bill 2014<http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/131a07fa4b8a041cca256e610012de17/5ce40c1eb81d5ae3ca257d710017d795?OpenDocument> is proposing changes to the Local Government Act that will remove council oversight of multi-million dollar tenders and allow for these decisions to be delegated to a single council official or even to private firms.



Given the history of Newcastle and the Hunter this will be of particular concern to local residents.



The Local Government Amendment (Red Tape Reduction) Bill 2014<http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/131a07fa4b8a041cca256e610012de17/5ce40c1eb81d5ae3ca257d710017d795?OpenDocument> was introduced to the Parliament this week.



Greens NSW MP David Shoebridge will join Newcastle Greens Councillor Therese Doyle at a press conference to discuss the implications of the proposal for Newcastle.



WHO:              David Shoebridge Greens NSW MP

                        Therese Doyle, Newcastle City Greens Councillor

Michael Osborne, Newcastle City Greens Councillor

WHEN:            10:30 am, Friday 17 October

WHERE:           The Fountain, Civic Park, Newcastle



Greens MP and Local Government spokesperson David Shoebridge said:



"Removing oversight of local council tendering processes is an open invitation to corruption in tendering.



"This proposal to allow for ad-hoc procurement structures to be set up by local councils is the exact opposite of what ICAC has recommended to remove corruption risks.



"ICAC says there should be simple, consistent and accountable tendering structures, instead the coalition is planning to let local councils delegate tendering decisions to literally anyone.



"The Greens are calling on the government to withdraw this bill which appears to be little more than a thought bubble from a very inexperienced Minister," Mr Shoebridge said



Media contact: David Shoebridge  9230 3030





Kym Chapple

Policy | Communications | Legislation

Office of Greens MP David Shoebridge

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