Page 1733 - Week 05 - Thursday, 11 May 2017
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Proposed new clause 23A.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.08): I move amendment No 16 circulated in my name, which inserts a new clause 23A [see schedule 4 at page 1778]. This goes to some of the issues that were highlighted by the Auditor-General’s recent report into certain acquisitions by the Land Development Agency. This important amendment proposes a new clause 23A, which requires that three separate valuations are conducted. Further, these valuations would be required to be published. In addition, there is a requirement that sales would be done by tender or auction, again in order to maximise the integrity and probity of any such sale. However, in the event that the sale is not successful, a private treaty may be conducted.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (5.09): The government will not be supporting this amendment as it seeks to introduce a level of operational interference with the authorising framework that the bill establishes that is inappropriate. In any event, there are some cases where one or two valuations are appropriate. The Auditor-General’s report on certain land dealings by the LDA recommended sound valuation procedures, but it did not recommend three in all cases. The amendment would prohibit direct sales, which are the right course of action in some cases and already authorised and governed by the Planning and Development Act 2007. Disclosure of valuations on a public website would conflict with the commercial operation of the CRA, and restricting sale to tender or auction would cut across the provisions of the Planning and Development Act, which has a full process for the granting or sale of leases, including by direct sale as necessary.
Amendment negatived.
Proposed new clause 23A negatived.
Clauses 24 to 26, by leave, taken together and agreed to.
Clause 27.
MR COE (Yerrabi—Leader of the Opposition) (5.11): I move amendment No 17 circulated in my name [see schedule 4 at page 1778]. There is an unusual provision in the legislation whereby the CEO is solely appointed by the chair of the board rather than being appointed by the board as a whole. I think that potentially creates some issues whereby you could have a CEO that does not have the support of the board but does have the support of the chair. Given that the CEO is responsible to the board but appointed by the chair, and then the board and the chair are responsible to the minister, I think there are all sorts of potential problems there. We are proposing that the CEO be appointed by the board rather than the chair.
MR BARR (Kurrajong—Chief Minister, Treasurer, Minister for Economic Development and Minister for Tourism and Major Events) (5.12): The government cannot support this amendment as a natural person is required to make the
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