The Public Interest
image above courtesy of Blue Mountains Gazette - Stop secret meetings, be transparent, MP urges
this page last updated 15 Aug 2020
Contents of this page
How best to transport people and freight from the Central West to the Sydney basin is a public interest issue: after all it is being funded by taxpayers.
The public interest is fundamental to a representative democratic system of government and to good public administration. Public debate is often hampered by a number of factors, including excessive (if not obsessive) government secrecy.
The integrity and transparency of our government is paramount.
In early August one of the representatives on the "advisory" committee, who represents 17 different groups from Blackheath was banned. The reason is set out below in the item from the BMG.
The real question is why was there a gagging order in the first place? What's that expression about war, casualties and truth?
"Alliance rep sacked from highway design committee" Blue Mountains Gazette
Why the secrecy?
What is the Minister trying to hide?
What is TfNSW trying to hide?
Why were members of the committee gagged from the outset?
Australia, you're being kept in the dark
"You have a right to know what the governments you elect are doing in your name. But in Australia today, the media is prevented from informing you, people who speak out are penalised and journalism that shines a light on matters you deserve to know about is criminalised. This needs to change. 87 per cent of Australians value a free and transparent democracy where the public is kept informed. Sadly, only 37 per cent believe this is happening in Australia today^. Australians have been slowly losing their right to know how their government operates and about issues that affect their families and finances."
Of late there have been troubling matters relating to integrity in NSW
icare workers compensation scheme: salaries of Ministerial staff paid out of icare funds, workers underpaid, excessive executive bonsuses, integrity of the CEO,
community funded program for merged councils allegedly rorted for political purposes, one council grant signed off by the Premier
the "custom" of not releasing business cases for a range of transport and infrastrucure projects (Westconnex. et al, see references below)
Why the lack of transparency?
Why is there no accountability in relation to the public funding of the proposed dual carriageway?
In the Netherlands everything is disclosed why not in NSW? (Source, podcast go to 4min.30sec)
ICAC: "A lack of transparency can also conceal actual corrupt conduct"
Here are some quotes from the "ANTI-CORRUPTION SAFEGUARDS AND THE NSW PLANNING SYSTEM" document created by the ICAC in 2012
p.13
Disregarding or placing undue weight on relevant public interest objectives leads to perceptions of bias and corruption, which undermine the integrity of the planning system.
..., if it is not the intention of government to emphasise economic considerations over other competing public interests, it is important that a perceived bias on this basis in favour of approvals does not exist. ...
p.14
Competing community interests should also be equally represented and given due consideration by relevant approval bodies
p.15
A lack of transparency in the planning system fuels adverse perceptions. Notwithstanding the absence of corruption, failure to explain processes and provide reasons for decisions can create perceptions of corruption.
A lack of transparency can also conceal actual corrupt conduct. In the Commission’s experience, failure to provide transparency in any process involving government decision-making is conducive to corruption as it creates a low threat of detection. The corruption risk is exacerbated when secrecy surrounding process is allied with secrecy surrounding the basis on which a decision has been made."
Examples of NSW government secrecy:
'I'm outraged': Secrecy over plan to dig up Sydney Harbour's toxic sludge (SMH, 2020)
More of the same from NSW Government & Port Authority (Yarra Bay)
State under pressure for full disclosure of Sydney's metro rail project (SMH April 2020)
'This has to change': The NSW government's four-year fight to keep its spending secret (SMH 2019)
'Perverse culture of secrecy': Liberal MP slams Powerhouse decision (SMH 2018)
NSW Government backflips to release controversial documents to save Don Harwin (ABC 2018)
Secret KPMG report brings NSW council mergers unstuck (The Mandarin 2017)
Auditor-General slams NSW government over lack of business case, consultation before Newcastle light rail decision (Newcastle Herald)
NSW Government accused of lack of transparency over Barangaroo (ABC 2014)
We need to shine a light on the dark, secretive corners of government and bureaucracy.
Everybody should know.
All the business regarding this GWH proposal must be posted on the Internet for all to see.
UPDATE: Minister refuses to discuss GWH with author of this site:
Adviser to the Minister contacted the author on 11 August 2020, indicating that the Minister would not meet with him to discuss the GWH proposal.
from Transport for NSW Cost-Benefit Analysis Guide section 6 . See Planning for more
"When doing or reviewing a CBA would you be willing to defend your decision, to family, friends or media if it appeared in a local paper? This includes: the choice of preferred option; cost and benefits of the preferred option compared to alternatives; the process used to make the decision; and the cost of developing the CBA, the business case and making the decision".
Further reading: