Rees govt maintains veil of secrecy on Hunter dam

Dr Kaye said: “The government worked the numbers yesterday afternoon to shut down debate on lifting the veil of secrecy relating to the planning of the controversial project before it was announced.

“While members of parliament are allowed to read the water utility’s memos, emails and reports, the people of NSW will not be allowed to explore why this proposal suddenly became the must-have water supply option for the Hunter.

“Prior to then-Premier Iemma’s mid-November 2006 announcement of the massive dam, Hunter Water’s own Integrated Resource plan condemned the proposal as expensive, unnecessary and socially and environmentally damaging.

“The real reasons for the dramatic about-face in the lead-up to the 2007 election will remain a public mystery and will continue to cloud the debate about this contentious project.

“NSW remains the state of secrecy. Government Upper House MPs, the Shooters Party MPs and Christian Democrat Fred Nile ganged up to defeat a Greens motion to table advice from Sir Laurence Street on lifting the secrecy around these documents.

“This means that the people of NSW, having paid Sir Laurence to advise on Hunter Water’s claim for secrecy, will never get to see his ruling, let alone the documents themselves.

“The government has never been able to convincingly explain why they are pushing for a dam that will impose a $406 million cost on residents of Newcastle, destroy more 90 productive farms and devastate the environment of the Williams River.

“Yesterday’s antics will only add to the mounting suspicion that the announcement was politically driven. The people of NSW are being forced to pay for a dam without being allowed to know why,” Dr Kaye said.

For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455