To: ‘david@campbell.minister.nsw.gov.au’
Cc: ‘greg.pearce@parliament.nsw.gov.au’; ‘Sylvia Hale’
Subject: Four questions regarding democracy in the Illawarra – to the Minister of the Illawarra

16 April 2008

Hon David Campbell

Minister for the Illawarra

Dear Minister,

At the time of the unfair sacking of our democratically elected and non-corrupt Wollongong City Councillors you were widely reported as being in favour of the sacking (see. for example, http://www.thewest.com.au/aapstory.aspx?StoryName=464886 ).

You also are reported as saying:

“As a citizen of Wollongong, a ratepayer of Wollongong, I think that it is appropriate there be a line drawn under this very sorry tale.”

Of all the citizens and ratepayers of Wollongong, you – and you alone – hold the very high office as a Minister of the Crown for the Illawarra.

As Minister for the Illawarra, and not as a mere citizen or ratepayer, and noting that:

Read the rest of this entry »

David Farmer
General Manager
Wollongong City Council

Dear David

Thank you for meeting with me last week (9 April) and providing the
opportunity to discuss matters of concern in regards to the past,
present and future operations of Wollongong City Council.

Following up from the meeting, I would like to reiterate some of the
issues I raised, and also provide further detail in regards to the ideas
I proposed for consideration by yourself and Council.

1. Corruption of Process

Many individuals in the community are concerned by the corruption of
process which they have experienced in dealing with Wollongong City
Council over the last two decades or more. I would like to restate my
belief that due process needs to be followed by all Council staff and
that the community needs to have faith in the various, policies,
procedures and instruments which bind and define Council operations.
This confidence will come from openness, accountability and adherence to
those instruments, irregardless of pressures brought to bear on Council
and Council officers by those with a vested interest, including developers.

(read on)

Read the rest of this entry »

“Fears Wollongong corruption widespread
Source: 7.30 Report
Published: Monday, April 14, 2008 6:47 AEST
Expires: Monday, May 12, 2008 6:47 AEST

The recent inquiry into the relationship between developers and some senior officials of Wollongong council has raised fears that the problem may be widespread.”

Video http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/04/14/2216736.htm

“Dirty, Sexy Money: Wollongong MP defends political fundraising
Source: ABC News
Published: Monday, April 14, 2008 1:25 AEST
Expires: Monday, May 12, 2008 1:25 AEST

Four Corners interviews Noreen Hay, who is Labor’s MP for Wollongong and the only state MP caught up in the ICAC hearings into political donations from developers. Watch an extract from Dirty, Sexy Money, which is airing at 8.30pm Monday 14 April, on ABC1.”

Video http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/04/14/2216255.htm

As was shown on the ABC 4 Corners program on Monday 14 April, under the NSW ALP the NSW democractic system appears to have been subject to a form of systemic corrpution through a process of ‘donations’ by which developers can gain access to, and exercise an undue degree of influence over, Ministers of the NSW Crown (“… give the developer a real inside run”).

See http://www.abc.net.au/4corners/content/2008/20080414_donations/interviews.htm

Increasingly people are asking, if the Governor can sack Wollongong City Councillors on the grounds of systemic corruption, can the Federal Government sack the NSW Government?

Another question which needs to be asked is “Under the present NSW Constitution, can the NSW Governor sack the NSW Premier and other NSW Ministers of State?” This is a question for Constitutional lawyers.

One view of the existence of Reserve Powers is:

Read the rest of this entry »

Extract from ABC website = “Political donations ‘part of doing business’ in NSW

The New South Wales Labor Party has been warned that its increasing reliance on political donations is endangering the party’s future.

ABC 1′s Four Corners program has been told that property developers now factor in large donations to NSW politicians as part of the cost of doing business in the state.

…

Developer Hardie Holdings has admitted to paying hundreds of thousands of dollars to gain access to state ministers and lobbying the NSW Government to rezone a large area of land in the Hunter Valley for housing.

Hardie Holdings general manager Matt Somers says developers have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in donations to gain access to New South Wales Government Ministers.

Mr Somers has told Four Corners that making political donations is part of doing business in New South Wales.
…

“We felt that we’ve paid the money to ensure that we’ve had access when we’ve required it and if the rules change, the rules will change.”

NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor stepped in to rezone the Hunter Valley land in 2006 against advice from his Department, but has denied the decision had anything to do with political donations”

full story (and bonus image of Minister Frank Sartor) at url:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/14/2215623.htm

Hi there,
I have just found this great campaign that I thought you would be interested in.

The NSW Government is introducing new State pro-Developer Laws that are tipping the balance away from local communities towards developers. The laws will not only drastically reduce funding for services like libraries, parks and playgrounds but also take away your right to have a say in local developments that affect you.

The new laws haven’t been approved so NOW is the time to tell your local MP that local voices matter and you value high quality services.

Help tip the balance back in favour of local communities by emailing your local MP here http://www.keepitlocal.org.au 

Thanks for standing up for local communities!

Read the rest of this entry »

Sedition by the Sea, Community Forum. Sunday 10am-Noon 13th April

Ending corruption and rebuilding democracy in Wollongong – workshop led by

David Beswick, The future of neighbourhood democracy
Caroline/David Griffiths, Democratic voting systems
Paul Matters, Researching corruption
-  Improving communications

Thirroul Railway Institute, Railway Pde. next to railway station)

Read the rest of this entry »

There was a comment during the ICAC investigations into corruption at Wollongong City Council which exposed the attempts of some people to slip a project under the radar.

This clearly demonstrated how some people operate in seeking to pursue very narrow agendas work – to avoid public scrutiny. These people remain active in our communities.

In the absence of elected Councillors then we – the active and concerned informed people in our communities – are the radar!

LYNCH – UNFIT AS LOCAL GOVERNMENT MINISTER?

Local Government Minister Lynch insists that it is necessary for the Administrators to remain in place for the four years in order to clean up the systemic corruption (caucusing with the ALP Councillors and some corruption by Council planning officers).

Read the rest of this entry »

Long Title

An Act to amend the Local Government Act 1993 in relation to the conduct of local government elections, the alteration of ward boundaries, the reduction of councillor numbers, and the role of councils during election periods; and for other purposes

http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/nswbills.nsf/0/2BF976EAEB7C73C6CA25742100060686

New South Wales Local Government Minister Paul Lynch says his Government has rejected moves to ensure sacked councils face fresh elections within 12 months.

Both Wollongong, on the south coast, and Port Macquarie, on the mid-north coast, are facing four years under an administrator, after being sacked earlier this year.

The State Opposition and the Greens supported amendments to local government legislation before Parliament to reduce the term of administrators from four years to 12 months.

But Mr Lynch says that would undermine efforts to reform problems identified in Port Macquarie and Wollongong.

…

“The suggestion that that can be turned around and that you can build a corruption-resistant organisation within six months is simply preposterous.”

Full story

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/04/11/2213914.htm