Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Parliamentary Secretary) [1.40 p.m.]: I seek the leave of the House to consider the Legislative Council's amendment to the Heritage Amendment Bill.

Leave granted.

Consideration of the Legislative Council's amendment.

No. 1 Page 8, schedule 1. Insert after line 21:

(4) If the Minister decides not to direct the listing on the State Heritage Register of an item that the Heritage Council has recommended be listed, the decision is to contain the reasons for not listing the item and is to be made publicly available within 7 days of the decision.

Mr JOHN AQUILINA (Riverstone—Parliamentary Secretary) [11.41 a.m.], on behalf of Ms Kristina Keneally: I move:

That the Legislative Council amendment be agreed to.

Mr DARYL MAGUIRE (Wagga Wagga) [11.41 a.m.]: While the Opposition does not oppose the amendment, it must be said that the Government displays disregard for transparency and accountability. The Government has accepted the amendment and I am encouraged by that. The amendment states:

If the Minister decides not to direct the listing on the State Heritage Register of an item that the Heritage Council has recommended be listed, the decision is to contain the reasons for not listing the item and is to be made publicly available within 7 days of the decision.

That is good because it requires the Minister to explain why the well-educated advice of the State Heritage Council is not accepted. The council is endowed with great experience and knowledge. In the interests of transparency, the amendment will be welcomed by all. A great deal of interest is taken in heritage matters. Accountability and transparency have not been a hallmark of this Government. The amendment will be beneficial and welcomed.

Mrs JUDY HOPWOOD (Hornsby) [11.43 a.m.]: I have just been made aware that the Government has accepted an amendment to the Heritage Amendment Bill 2009. I concur with the remarks made by the member for Wagga Wagga relating to transparency and the absolute need for it. I sought advice from historical societies in my electorate relating to changes to the Heritage Council. The shock resonated all the way through the three historical societies in my electorate and through people who are passionate about heritage. I will read onto the record the amendment to the Heritage Amendment Bill, for the information of people who took the trouble to provide feedback on the bill:

If the Minister decides not to direct the listing on the State Heritage Register of an item that the Heritage Council has recommended be listed, the decision is to contain the reasons for not listing the item and is to be made publicly available within 7 days of the decision.

I know that people who provided feedback will be very pleased that the Government has accepted the amendment. It shows that transparency is alive and well.

Mr ROB STOKES (Pittwater) [11.44 a.m.]: My contribution to discussion on the amendment will be brief. As the House is well aware, the Coalition did not support the Heritage Amendment Bill 2009 for the reasons outlined during debate. Obviously the amendment is intended to address the serious concerns expressed by the community about the lack of transparency in decisions by the Minister not to list an item on the State Heritage Register. I reiterate the Coalition's opposition to any amendments seeking to water down heritage protection in the State or blending heritage concerns with the development system. The Coalition believes very strongly that heritage is such a significant issue that it merits its own place at the Cabinet table. We believe that a separate Minister should represent heritage in Cabinet. Aboriginal heritage, built heritage and natural heritage of the State are the jewels of New South Wales. The Coalition is very concerned about any attempts by the Government to water down heritage protection in New South Wales.

Question—That the motion be agreed to—put and resolved in the affirmative.

Motion agreed to.

Legislative Council amendment agreed to.

Message sent to the Legislative Council advising it of the resolution.

ASSISTANT-SPEAKER (Ms Alison Megarrity): Order! Business having been concluded, the House will proceed with private members' statements.