Public should be given say on Breakwater Group proposal
IT was dismissed in the LNP’s expression of interest as nonconforming, ignored by the Labor Government in more than one market-led proposal submission and according to government sources, will not be considered in the public consultation process for The Spit master plan.
So what exactly is it that makes the Breakwater Group’s proposal for the Spit so controversial that the Government is prepared to subvert the democratic principles on which our nation is based by denying the people the information and right of choice? (‘No quitting cruise ship terminals’, GCB, 13/6)
It is said you can’t kill an idea, but successive governments have so far proven that wrong. Taking away a critical part of the playing field by decree, publicly stating false assumptions and refusing to engage in any way other than stating you won’t engage is an effective way of doing it.
We are the lucky country for good reason. We have the right of choice, be it who we elect to represent us, who we worship or not, a right to dissent and from where we buy those goods and services we need.
Competition is an essential part of our democratic and free enterprise system. Democracy is a competition of ideas and principles from which the majority will choose those who will represent them. Competition in free enterprise generates new ideas, product development, lower cost and most of all, choice. To interfere in any aspect with these freedoms fundamentally changes our way of life.
The people of the Gold Coast have been offered a voice in the future development of The Spit. Or so it seems. Unless all concepts over the entire Spit are up for consideration that choice is compromised from the outset. An idea or concept must be allowed to stand on its own merits without political interference.
This is an opportunity for the Government and Opposition to put aside assumptions based on the disproportionate objections raised by minorities and find out what the people of the Gold Coast actually want. To ignore that opportunity by remaining firmly entrenched behind the party line is a dangerous step away from democracy. It is now the Government’s turn to do what we all should have a right to do and make a choice that could determine our future and theirs.
Let the people have their say.