Key Takeaways:
- The Western Australian (WA) government has passed the State Development Act, granting the premier extra powers to change the rules on approvals for "priority projects".
- The new laws give the state development minister and the coordinator general the power to approve projects considered to be of "strategic or economic significance".
- Critics, including environmentalists and lawyers, have raised concerns about the wide-reaching powers and potential consequences.
- The opposition, Greens, and some experts have expressed concerns about the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest.
- Industry heavyweights have backed the laws, citing the need to streamline approvals and fast-track investment.
Introduction to the State Development Act
The Western Australian government has passed the State Development Act, a flagship legislation that grants the premier, Roger Cook, extra powers to change the rules on approvals for hand-picked "priority projects". The bill, which was first floated by the premier in September, aims to overhaul the state’s development framework and cut red tape for big, job-creating projects. However, critics have lined up to express their concerns about the wide-reaching powers and potential consequences of the legislation.
Concerns about the Legislation
The opposition, Greens, and some experts have raised concerns about the lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest. The Greens have consistently raised concerns about the scope of the powers afforded under the legislation, including the potential for the coordinator general to have a personal interest in decision-making. The Law Society of WA and former Environmental Protection Authority chair Tom Hatton have also expressed concerns about the legislation. The Conservation Council of WA Executive Director Matt Roberts has described the bill as an "unprecedented and unnecessary power grab" to "shove through projects".
Industry Support for the Legislation
Despite the concerns, the legislation has been strongly backed by industry heavyweights. Kwinana Industries Council chief executive David Harrison has stated that the State Development Bill will streamline approvals, improve coordination across government, and fast-track investment. The government has argued that the legislation is necessary to ensure that WA remains competitive and attractive to investors. However, critics argue that the legislation prioritizes economic interests over environmental and social concerns.
Conflict of Interest Fears
The government has knocked back several amendments, including one from the Greens to add a conflict-of-interest clause that would have required the coordinator general to step back if they had a personal interest in any of the decision-making. The Greens have expressed concerns that the lack of safeguards around the coordinator general’s position is "truly troubling" and could lead to conflicts of interest. The government has conceded to amendments that force it to publicly reveal when time frame notices are issued, but critics argue that this does not go far enough to address concerns about transparency and accountability.
Regional Environmental Concerns
The Nationals MLC Julie Freeman has raised some regional environmental concerns about the bill, flagging potential impacts on property rights and local decision-making. Animal Justice MLC Amanda Dorn has also raised concerns about the coordinator general’s power while calling out the opposition for not opposing the bill. One Nation MLC Rod Caddies has hit out at the opposition for claiming that the Greens were in an "unholy alliance" with One Nation for both supporting the bill going to committee.
Conclusion
The passage of the State Development Act has significant implications for the state of Western Australia. While the government argues that the legislation is necessary to drive economic growth and investment, critics argue that it prioritizes economic interests over environmental and social concerns. The lack of transparency and potential conflicts of interest have raised concerns among the opposition, Greens, and some experts. As the legislation comes into effect, it remains to be seen how the government will balance the need for economic growth with the need to protect the environment and ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account.