HURLSTONE OPEN DAY AND PEACEFUL PROTEST
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Killalea Developer A Big Donor to the ALP
Tuesday 26 June 2007
Electoral Office figures reveal that the international financial services corporation Babcock and Brown, one of the companies involved in the development of a private resort in the Killalea State Park, has donated $143,000 to the NSW Labor Party since 2003/04.
After widespread opposition from the community the government last week released a copy of the controversial development agreement for a 200 unit resort to be built in the state park on the NSW South Coast.
In response to questioning from Greens MP Sylvia Hale, Lands Minister Tony Kelly has conceded that the return to the public purse will be a mere $13 million over the 52 year life of the proposed lease. He refused to answer a question as to whether an independent evaluation of the commercial value of the lease had been undertaken.
“The Labor Party has done very nicely out of Babcock and Brown. Babcock and Brown will do very nicely out of being allowed to build a private development in a state park. Members of the community around Killalea have every right to be concerned about a potential conflict of interest,” said Ms Hale.
“That is why I asked Minister Kelly if an independent assessment has been done of the commercial value of the lease. He refused to answer the question. The government has been less than transparent about this deal,” said Ms Hale.
“The Greens are opposed to these sorts of developments in state parks. State parks are public assets. They should be used only for the benefit of the public, not be carved up for expensive private resorts” said Ms Hale.
Contact: Chris Holley 9239 3030
