Election airing ‘enough for Bill’

A KEY piece of legislation underwent “no community consultation” because it was a stated election commitment, which the Government argues allowed voters to have their say.

A recently tabled report on the Building Queensland Bill by the parliamentary Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee notes that “no community consultation has occurred on the Bill as the Bill implements a clear election commitment”.

Building Queensland is an independent body which advises the Government on infrastructure development.

The Government says establishment of the statutory body was a key election commitment and therefore underwent significant community consultation, as well as going through parliamentary processes open to the public.

It also held numerous briefings for “key stakeholders to receive verbal feedback and to facilitate more informed writ- ten feedback”. Both the Property Council of Australia’s Chris Mountford and the Infrastructure Association of Queensland’s Roger Black yesterday said they were happy with the level of consultation.

Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said there had been a very strong consultative process.

“I don’t think you can get much clearer than putting your election policies out there for the community to scrutinise during an election campaign,” she said.