PARLIAMENT OF NEW SOUTH WALES

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  4. 6 June 2001

M5 East Tunnel Ventilation

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SpeakersBreen The Hon Peter; Primrose The Hon Peter
BusinessReport


    M5 EAST TUNNEL VENTILATION
Page: 14430
    Return to Order: Claim of Privilege

    Debate resumed from 5 June.

    The Hon. PETER BREEN [3.23 p.m.]: I support this motion. The Clerk has an opinion from an arbiter, Sir Laurence Street, in which Sir Laurence analyses various documents produced by the Roads and Traffic Authority relating to the M5 East emission stack. Sir Laurence lists those documents that do not attract the benefit of legal professional privilege. The House has already taken the trouble to get the opinion of Sir Laurence. It seems to me it would be disrespectful not to allow the House the opportunity of reading that opinion, of drawing conclusions about it and then of making decisions about the documents.

    These documents are very important, not so much from our point of view as members of the House but from the point of view of members of the community who are very concerned about the M5 East emission stack and why the Government seems to fail to understand the importance of installing electrostatic precipitators. If the documents were available for members of the community to look at in one place, they would have the opportunity to see some of the issues—and I agree they do not see all of the issues objectively—and this House would be able to fulfil its role of accountability and of assisting in the process of government. Therefore, I urge honourable members to support the motion.

    The Hon. PETER PRIMROSE [3.24 p.m.]: I also wish to be extremely brief on this matter. I understand it will be dealt with relatively quickly. I want to make the point that these are hardly secret matters. The documents have been available to all members. I have made the effort to read the documents, and any suggestion that in any way, shape or form this material needs to be tabled in order for members to be able to peruse it has no substance.

    Motion agreed to.

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