The WA premier is seeking wide-reaching powers to change the rules on approvals for “big, shiny, job-creating projects” \u2014 but it has prompted concern from the opposition, environmentalists and even lawyers.<\/p>\n
The legislation, which passed the upper house last Thursday with some amendments, returned to the lower house today to get the final sign-off in a special sitting.<\/p>\n
The new laws give the state development minister (currently Mr Cook) and the coordinator general (a government-appointed bureaucrat) the power to approve anything considered to be of “strategic or economic significance”.<\/p>\n
But, concerns about potential consequences of the wide-reaching powers \u2014 and how quickly the legislation was passed \u2014 remain.\u00a0<\/p>\n
WA can’t be ‘laggard’: Premier<\/p>\n
The bill was first floated by the premier during a business breakfast address in September<\/a>, taking some economic and sustainability experts by surprise.\u00a0<\/p>\n “I can’t let WA be a laggard,” he said at the time.<\/p>\n “I won’t allow WA to be the policy equivalent of a long-abandoned Blockbuster video store in the suburbs.”<\/p>\n Mr Cook detailed his plans to overhaul the state’s development framework in a bid to cut red tape for priority projects, but some experts were concerned the reforms would leave too much power in the hands of too few.<\/p>\n Mr Cook will have more powers to fast-track approvals processes under the new laws. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)<\/p>\n It’s a concern that’s consistently been raised by the Greens and environmental groups since the bill was introduced \u2014 and after it failed to get enough support to be referred to a committee.<\/p>\n “We hear a lot of talk from Mr (Opposition Leader Basil) Zempilas about holding the government to account about transparency, but when it comes down to it they are just working on behalf of big business in that chamber uniting with the government,” Greens MLC Sophie McNeill said in December about the Liberals not supporting the referral.<\/p>\n Greens MP Sophie McNeill (without hat) attended a protest against the government’s state development bill.\u00a0 (ABC News: Courtney Withers)<\/p>\n Several peak bodies and experts also raised concerns about the scope of the powers afforded under the legislation, including The Law Society of WA<\/a>\u00a0and former Environmental Protection Authority chair Tom Hatton<\/a>.<\/p>\n At a protest last week, the Conservation Council of WA Executive Director Matt Roberts described the bill as an “unprecedented and unnecessary power grab” to “shove through projects”.\u00a0<\/p>\n However, it has been strongly backed by industry heavyweights.\u00a0<\/p>\n Matt Roberts is the executive director of the WA Conservation Council. (ABC News: Courtney Withers)<\/p>\n Kwinana Industries Council\u00a0chief executive David Harrison is in favour of the laws.<\/p>\n \u201cThe State Development Bill will streamline approvals, improve coordination across government, and fast-track investment \u2014 exactly what industry needs to remain globally competitive,” he said last month.<\/p>\n Conflict of interest fears<\/p>\n Mr Cook has instilled an urgency in passing the legislation, and the recently passed surrogacy and IVF laws, describing them as “priorities” for the state.\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
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