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Friday September 3, 2010

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Turn it up Colin!

Posted by: Bob Maumill | 12 June, 2009 - 11:57 AM
Bob's Blog Colin Barnett has made no secret of his wish to industrialise parts of Western Australia's Kimberley.

As I indicated in an earlier blog, there will be tough political battles between stakeholders and the government before the bulldozers move in.

Anticipating trouble ahead Premier Barnett hoped to take heat out of what lays ahead by announcing a series of ‘workshops’ involving stakeholders.
But did the Premier really believe he could hand the chairmanship of the ‘workshops’  to Chris Ellison a lobbyist for mining interests who holds an associate directorship of a mining company is a mate of Barnett’s, and a former Liberal Party Senator, long serving soldier of the Party and a former boss and close friend of Western Australian Environment Minister Donna Faragher?

And to top it off, Premier Barnett’s patsy (sorry, appointee) will write the final report into matters discussed at the ‘workshops’.

Questions to the Premier on this matter have revealed former Liberal Senator Chris Ellison was his choice  not Minister Faragher’s selection.

That of course means a weak Minister does not have to field questions on the matter. The flak will be copped by Mr Barnett, who remains remarkably relaxed in the face of criticism, preferring to smirk his way through the issue with an I-know-best attitude that has long been part of his political persona.

Someone should tell Premier Barnett that nobbling inquiries, committees and ‘workshops’ by putting political allies in the drivers seat in an old and transparent ploy.
And when the electorate and the press cottons on to what is happening trust in government can be eroded.

That is what is happening now. Premier Barnett has been caught out playing an old and grubby political game.

He is being shown to be too cunning for his own good.

Blog comments Your Say

  • Bob, shame on you.

    Are you suggesting or maybe insinuating (great word, isn't it?)that the Premier of this Great State might be capable of acting in a way which is entirely appropriate to the rapid future development of our Pilbara resources? That he cares nothing for the habitat of the highly endangered Microscopic White 7-Legged Spider Thingy found only and exclusively in highly mineralised areas of the Pilbara? That he may have used a mate to silence our true blue eco-soldiers in the never-ending fight to send our children and their children into penury whilst guarding with all our might the inalienable, nay indivisible 'Thingy rights' of said crawling Thingys? what evidence do you have, Bob?
    Your comments,maaaaate, are equivalent to a gunny sack of horse poo!
    Colin's ecological credentials are rock solid, built as they are on massive ferro-concrete footings set into some of what used to be the oldest indigenous rock art in the World!

    Time for a re-think on the 7-Legged Thingy - if its worth Colin's protection, its worth mine.......

    Paul Hubbard Tuesday 16 June, 2009 - 11:11 AM

  • Nothing could be more fair than an industry, oops, government appointee workshopping a bunch of well educated stakeholders and include a few token others, that are probably not as well educated, then writing a totally unbiased report to ensure any major industry proposals comply with environmental requirements.

    Dave Saturday 13 June, 2009 - 5:52 PM

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