Planning Minister, Peter Gutwein, is avoiding scrutiny over the use of taxpayer dollars to establish a developer-led planning reform Taskforce, Greens Planning spokesperson, Cassy O'Connor MP, said today.
"In Parliament this week during debate on the Supply Bills, I asked the Treasurer and Planning Minister repeatedly what was the projected budget and costs for the Taskforce, and how much its appointed head, former Property Council director, Mary Massina was being paid?”
"Mr Gutwein repeatedly refused to answer.”
"On what basis does the Treasurer think it's acceptable to conceal from the Parliament and, most importantly, taxpayers, information about how their funds are being used?”
"Tasmanians do have a right to know how much the developer-led taskforce will cost and how much Ms Massina - who was appointed without a process - is being paid.”
"These are not difficult questions and nor should the information sought be confidential.”
"Mr Gutwein knows the answers but he is concealing them from the people whose taxpayer dollars he is spending.”
"The Planning Reform Taskforce is all about the big end of town. Mary Massina's appointment makes that clear.”
"It's real task is to severely limit public rights in the planning process, in favour of developers.”
"Welcome to the brave new world of majority government where Ministers have an always open door policy to the big end of town and where ordinary Tasmanians are shut out and kept in the dark.”
"The Greens will continue to vigorously seek answers to the questions Mr Gutwein refuses to answer," Ms O'Connor said.