Page 5583 - Week 17 - Wednesday, 4 December 1991
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of those casuarinas, apart perhaps from somebody who could claim that they ate lunch there and therefore their shade would go. It may well be that that would prove not to be acceptable.
This clause is about consultation. The clause is entitled "Consultation", and I believe that it is appropriate, therefore, that the Minister should be prepared to do that in an appropriate case. I point out that the amendment does say, "The Minister may". I have not taken a hard line on this at all. The amendment reads:
The ... Minister may, in relation to a proposal that has an environmental impact, by giving reasonable notice in a daily newspaper, convene a meeting of persons who have an interest in the proposal.
It is a clause that facilitates, not a clause that compels. As such, I think it deserves the Assembly's backing.
MR WOOD (Minister for Education and the Arts and Minister for the Environment, Land and Planning) (5.53): I want slowly to oppose this amendment. I understand what Mr Moore is saying. We had some discussion about this, and if we had more discussion I think matters could improve further. Bear in mind that we are trying to get people who are most concerned about a matter around a table together.
Mr Moore: Take the casuarina example; you cannot.
MR WOOD: Yes, but in this instance you may expand the group involved to such an extent that you get nowhere at all. I understand what Mr Moore is saying. I could look at some words and some changes, but I do not think we have the time to do it now. On that basis, I am going to oppose Mr Moore's amendment; but I indicate that it is one of those matters we will put on the agenda when more amendments are being developed in the new parliament next year. I repeat: I do not think we want to mess the waters more by inviting people who perhaps are extraneous to the need, to confuse matters.
MR JENSEN (5.55): Once again, I get the distinct feeling - I am surprised, actually - that Mr Wood has some concern about the difficulty of community involvement in planning matters and matters that affect the community.
Mr Wood: I do not.
Mr Moore: It is not reflected in the way you are acting on this one.
MR JENSEN: I am sorry, Mr Wood; but, as Mr Moore interjects, it is not reflected in the way you are dealing with the issues that are being brought forward. I suggest to you that it is quite legitimate for Mr Moore to put this forward, and we fully support it. All Mr Moore is
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