Select Committee
Ms Cate Faehrmann: The Greens support this motion to establish a select committee. I state at the outset that, on the face of it, turning Rosehill racecourse into new housing, with affordable housing, is a very good idea and one we hope comes to fruition. We hope there is a metro station there, and happy days if that happens. However, we are concerned about the process by which this was announced. We are concerned by the reports. I have not read the documents. I have a lot of privileged documents to get through, Sydney Metro being one of them, and I have not got to this one yet. But it has been reported on and I take what has been reported as extremely concerning. The Government's media release issued on 7 December 2023 talks about the unsolicited proposals process, stating:
The unsolicited proposals process includes:
- strong probity, conflict of interest and confidentiality arrangements, including the appointment of a probity adviser …
The documents reveal those meetings on 25 October when the Australian Turf Club [ATC] officials were not even talking about this. Five days later the ATC meets Chris Minns, and a few days later this proposal comes out. It is all very concerning.
I note that paragraph (1) of the committee's terms of reference is to look into "the unsolicited proposal process, including associated probity measures". I talked to the Opposition about ensuring that the terms of reference were expanded to enable members to look at the housing targets and the delivery of Sydney Metro. I note the amended motion states that I will be a member of the select committee. I will be participating in the spirit of wanting to ensure that, if it is a good proposal, we do not stymie it. But if there is something to be uncovered in the public interest, that is what this committee should do and why it should be established.
Full text of the motion:
Hon. Damien Tudehope moved:
(1) That a select committee be established to inquire into and report on the proposal to develop Rosehill racecourse, and in particular:
(a) the unsolicited proposal process including associated probity measures;
(b) the involvement of the Government prior to the unsolicited proposal being made;
(c) the role of the proposal in meeting housing targets;
(d) impacts on the cost and delivery of the Sydney Metro;
(e) potential impacts on parkland in Western Sydney;
(f) impacts on the racing industry in New South Wales;
(g) the impact on animal welfare and any integrity concerns associated with the proposal which relate to animal welfare; and
(h) any other related matters.
(2) That, notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the standing orders, the committee consist of nine members comprising:
(a) three Government members;
(b) three Opposition members, with one being the Hon. Scott Farlow; and
(c) three crossbench members, being the Hon. Emma Hurst, Ms Cate Faehrmann and the Hon. Taylor Martin.
(3) That the chair of the committee be the Hon. Scott Farlow and the deputy chair be the Hon. Emma Hurst.
(4) That, unless the committee decides otherwise:
(a) all inquiries are to be advertised via social media, stakeholder emails and a media release distributed to all media outlets in New South Wales;
(b) submissions to inquiries are to be published, subject to the committee clerk checking for confidentiality and adverse mention, and where those issues arise, bringing them to the attention of the committee for consideration;
(c) attachments to submissions are to remain confidential;
(d) the chair's proposed witness list is to be circulated to provide members with an opportunity to amend the list, with the witness list agreed to by email, unless a member requests the chair to convene a meeting to resolve any disagreement;
(e) the sequence of questions to be asked at hearings alternate between Opposition, crossbench and Government members, in that order, with equal time allocated to each;
(f) transcripts of evidence taken at public hearings are to be published;
(g) supplementary questions are to be lodged with the committee clerk within two business days following the receipt of the hearing transcript, with witnesses requested to return answers to questions on notice and supplementary questions within 21 calendar days of the date on which questions are forwarded to the witness;
(h) answers to questions on notice and supplementary questions are to be published, subject to the committee clerk checking for confidentiality and adverse mention and, where those issues arise, bringing them to the attention of the committee for consideration; and
(i) media statements on behalf of the committee are to be made only by the chair.
(5) That the committee report by 30 November 2024.